Nicocles

Then he goes about, saying that Nicocles testified that he had served as guardian under the will, and Pasicles that he had lived as ward under the will.

The one so testifying saw no danger in deposing that he served as guardian under the will, or that he lived as ward under the will, each one of them omitting to state what had been written in the will by Phormio,—no danger in deposing that one’s father had left him a document with the word will written on it, or anything of that sort.

Phocion, as it is mentioned in Plutarch’s lives, said that the persons, whom Alexander demanded, had reduced the commonwealth to such distress, that if he demanded even his dearest friend Nicocles, he should vote for delivering him up.

But you have heard also from my accuser that I have received many great presents from Nicocles, the king of the Salaminians.

The one which is about to be produced before you is addressed to Nicocles of Cyprus, who at that time was king, and is made up of advice to him as to how to rule over his people.

But my reason for writing upon this subject was that I thought my advice would be the best means of aiding his understanding and at the same time the readiest means of publishing my own principles.

for if you persevere in the study of philosophy and make as great progress as heretofore, you will soon become the man it is fitting you should be.

and you it behooves not to be negligent, but as at present so in the future to pay heed to yourself and to discipline your mind that you may be worthy of your father and of all your ancestors.

For my part, Nicocles, I think that while effigies of the body are fine memorials, yet likenesses of deeds and of the character are of far greater value, and these are to be observed only in discourses composed according to the rules of art.

Do not form political societies or unions without my sanction;

Manifest your good will towards me in deeds rather than in words.

As to my sense of justice, you can best observe it from these facts:

Now I, for my part, have offered you all the good counsels which I know, and I honor you with these gifts which I have at my command;

I have dwelt on these matters because I think that you, who are not one of the multitude but a king over the multitude, ought not to be of the same mind as men at large;

For my part, I should think that this would be the finest and the most serviceable present and the most suitable for me to give and for you to receive—I could prescribe what pursuits you should aspire to and from what you should abstain in order to govern to the best advantage your state and kingdom.

and even now this brings up a subject for words, and the Muses’ chariot rushes forward to shout praises in memory of Nicocles the boxer.