ds
revealed."

[23] "But," said Cyrus, "how can a man really and truly attain to the
wisdom that will serve his turn?"

"Well, my son, it is plain that where learning is the road to wisdom,
learn you must, as you learnt your battalion-drill, but when it comes to
matters which are not to be learnt by mortal men, nor foreseen by mortal
minds, there you can only become wiser than others by communicating with
the gods through the art of divination. But, always, wherever you know
that a thing ought to be done, see that it is done, and done with care;
for care, not carelessness, is the mark of the wise man."

[24] "And now," said Cyrus, "to win the affection of those we rule--and
there is nothing, I take it, of greater importance--surely the path to
follow lies open to all who desire the love of their friends. We must, I
mean, show that we do them good." "Yes, my child, but to do good really
at all seasons to those we wish to help is not always possible: only one
way is ever open, and that is the way of sympathy; to rejoice with the
happy in the day of good things, to share their sorrow when ill befalls
them, to lend a hand in all their difficulties, to fear disaster for
them, and guard against it by foresight--these, rather than actual
benefits, are the true signs of comradeship. [25] And so in war; if the
campaign is in summer the general must show himself greedy for his share
of the sun and the heat, and in winter for the cold and the frost, and
in all labours for toil and fatigue. This will help to make him beloved
of his followers." "You mean, father," said Cyrus, "that a commander
should always be stouter-hearted in everything than those whom he
commands." "Yes, my son, that is my meaning," said he; "only be well
assured of this: the princely leader and the private soldier may be
alike in body, but their sufferings are not the same: the pains of the
leader are always lightened by the glory that is his and by the very
consciousness that all his acts are done in the public eye."

[26] "But now, father, suppose the time has come, and you are satisfied
that your troops are well supplied, sound in wind and limb, well able to
endure fatigue, skilled in the arts of war, covetous of honour, eager to
show their mettle, anxious to follow, would you not think it well to try
the chance of battle without delay?" "By all means," said the father,
"if you are likely to gain by the move: but if not, for my own part, the
more I felt