[44]
Be
convinced too that all philosophical learning confers precious benefits upon
those who take advantage of it, but especially is this true of the knowledge
that deals with practical affairs and political discussions. No doubt it is
disgraceful to be quite ignorant of geometry and other such subjects of study,
but to become a topmost contender in this field is too low an ambition for merit
like yours.1 In that kind of philosophy, however, not only is it a
worthy ambition to excel, but to remain ignorant is altogether ridiculous.
1 Blass cites Isoc. 15.267, where the statement is made that cultural studies do not directly prepare the candidate for public life but do increase his power to learn.
Demosthenes. Demosthenes with an English translation by Norman W. DeWitt, Ph.D., and Norman J. DeWitt, Ph.D. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1949.
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