Herbert Weir Smyth, A Greek Grammar for Colleges

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[*] 2104. With some impersonal expressions taking the dative, such as those signifying the advantage or consequence of an action (it is fitting, profitable, good, etc.), and those implying confidence or fear. (The personal construction is often preferred.)

ἐπηρώτων τὸν θεόν, εἰ (αὐτοῖς) ““πολεμοῦσιν ἄμεινον ἔσται” they asked the god whether it would be better for them to make war” T. 1.118, εἰ τόδ᾽ αὐτῷ φίλον (ἐστί) ““κεκλημένῳ” if it is pleasing to him to be called thus” A. Ag. 161. Personal: ““οἷς πολέμιον ἦν τὸ χωρίον κτιζόμενον” to whom the settlement of the place was a menace” T. 1.100, οἴκοι μένων βελτί_ων (ἐστίν) he is all the better by staying at home D. 3.34 (for μένειν αὐτὸν βέλτι_όν ἐστι).