e noblest sayings in all Xenophon. The one somehow which
touches me most. The best way to improve ourselves is to see that we set
our boys the best examples.

BOOK VIII

[C.1] Such were the words of Cyrus; and Chrysantas rose up after him,
saying, "Gentlemen, this is not the first time I have had occasion to
observe that a good ruler differs in no respect from a good father. Even
as a father takes thought that blessings may never fail his children,
so Cyrus would commend to us the ways by which we can preserve our
happiness. And yet, on one point, it seemed to me he had spoken less
fully than he might; and I will try to explain it for the benefit of
those who have not learnt it. [2] I would have you ask yourselves, was
ever a hostile city captured by an undisciplined force? Did ever an
undisciplined garrison save a friendly town? When discipline was gone,
did ever an army conquer? Is ever disaster nearer than when each solider
thinks about his private safety only? Nay, in peace as in war, can any
good be gained if men will not obey their betters? What city could be at
rest, lawful, and orderly? What household could be safe? What ship sail
home to her haven? [3] And we, to what do we owe our triumph, if not to
our obedience? We obeyed; we were ready to follow the call by night and
day; we marched behind our leader, ranks that nothing could resist; we
left nothing half-done of all we were told to do. If obedience is the
one path to win the highest good, remember it is also the one way to
preserve it. [4] Now in the old days, doubtless, many of us ruled no one
else, we were simply ruled. But to-day you find yourselves rulers, one
and all of you, some over many and some over few. And just as you would
wish your subjects to obey you, so we must obey those who are set over
us. Yet there should be this difference between ourselves and slaves; a
slave renders unwilling service to his lord, but we, if we claim to be
freemen, must do of our own free will that which we see to be the best.
And you will find," he added, "that even when no single man is ruler,
that city which is most careful to obey authority is the last to bow to
the will of her enemies. [5] Let us listen to the words of Cyrus. Let
us gather round the public buildings and train ourselves, so that we may
keep our hold on all we care for, and offer ourselves to Cyrus for his
noble ends. Of one thing we may be sure: Cyrus will never put us to any
service which c