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γηράσκων κτλ. γηράσκω δ̓ αἰεὶ πολλὰ διδασκόμενος Solon Fr. 18 Bergk. The line is quoted in [Erast.] 133 C and alluded to again in Lach. 188 B, 189 A.

ἧττον . ἔτι ἧττον, which Herwerden proposes, is no improvement, but rather the reverse. Plato may be alluding to some proverbial saying, as D. and V. appear to believe, translating thus: “an old man can sooner run than learn.”

νέων δὲ κτλ. Cf. Eur. I. T. 122 μόχθος γὰρ οὐδεὶς τοῖς νέοις σκῆψιν φέρει and Theaet. 146 B, Symp. 175 E.

παισὶν οὖσι κτλ. This preliminary survey is clearly meant to take place in the years during which ‘Music’ and Gymnastic are chiefly cultivated. See Nettleship Lect. and Rem. II p. 290.

οὐχ ὡς ἐπάναγκες κτλ. We must bear in mind throughout the whole of this subject that Plato is legislating for a select class who naturally love labour and truth. They alone are nature's freemen and must be treated as such in their education, but the compulsory method may be necessary, Plato would say, in order to educate others, so far as others can be educated at all. With the general sense cf. Phaedr. 240 C and Theogn. 472 πᾶν γὰρ ἀναγκαῖον χρῆμ᾽ ἀνιηρὸν ἔφυ.

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hide References (5 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (5):
    • Euripides, Iphigeneia in Taurus, 122
    • Plato, Theaetetus, 146b
    • Plato, Phaedrus, 240c
    • Plato, Symposium, 175e
    • Plato, Laches, 188b
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