obeys its trainer, and
something sweet is sure to follow; or it disobeys, and in place of
something sweet it finds a peck of trouble; and so on, until it comes at
last to yield obedience to the trainer's every wish. Or to take another
instance: Young dogs, [6] however far inferior to man in thought
and language, [7] can still be taught to run on errands and turn
somersaults, [8] and do a host of other clever things, precisely on
this same principle of training. Every time the animal obeys it gets
something or other which it wanted, and every time it misbehaves it
gets a whipping. But when it comes to human beings: in man you have a
creature still more open to persuasion through appeals to reason; [9]
only make it plain to him "it is his interest to obey." Or if they
happen to be slaves, [10] the more ignoble training of wild animals
tamed to the lure will serve to teach obedience. Only gratify their
bellies in the matter of appetite, and you will succeed in winning much
from them. [11] But ambitious, emulous natures feel the spur of praise,
[12] since some natures hunger after praise no less than others crave
for meats and drinks. My practice then is to instruct those whom I
desire to appoint as my bailiffs in the various methods which I have
found myself to be successful in gaining the obedience of my fellows. To
take an instance: There are clothes and shows and so forth, with which
I must provide my workfolk. [13] Well, then, I see to it that these are
not all alike in make; [14] but some will be of better, some of less
good quality: my object being that these articles for use shall vary
with the service of the wearer; the worse man will receive the worse
things as a gift, the better man the better as a mark of honour. For I
ask you, Socrates, how can the good avoid despondency seeing that
the work is wrought by their own hands alone, in spite of which these
villains who will neither labour nor face danger when occasion calls are
to receive an equal guerdon with themselves? And just as I cannot bring
myself in any sort of way to look upon the better sort as worthy to
receive no greater honour than the baser, so, too, I praise my bailiffs
when I know they have apportioned the best things among the most
deserving. And if I see that some one is receiving preference by dint
of flatteries or like unworthy means, I do not let the matter pass; I
reprimand my bailiff roundly, and so teach him that such conduct is not
even to h