especially, since the teachers of philosophy, however much they debate about the proper
 discipline of the soul (some contending that it is through disputation, See Isoc. 12.26 ; Isoc. 15.261 ; General Introduction, p. xxi. others that
 it is through political discussion, others that it is through other means that their
 disciples are to attain to greater wisdom), yet are all agreed on this, that the
 well-educated man must, as the result of this training in whatever discipline, show
 ability to deliberate and decide. You should, therefore, avoid what is in controversy and test men’s value in the light of
 what is generally agreed upon, if possible taking careful note of them when they present
 their views on particular situations; or, if that is not possible, when they discuss
 general questions. And when they are altogether lacking in what they ought to know, reject
 them (for it is clear that if one is of no use in himself, neither can he make another man
 wise); but when they are intelligent and able to see farther than the rest, prize them and
 cherish them, knowing that a good counsellor is the most useful and the most princely of
 all possessions. And believe that those contribute most to the greatness of your reign who
 can contribute most to your understanding. 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; and do you, recalling what I said in the
 beginning, desire that your other friends also shall bring you, not the usual presents,
 which you purchase at a much greater cost from those who give than from those who sell,
 but gifts of such a nature that, even though you make hard use of them every day without
 fail, you will never wear them out, but will, on the contrary, enlarge them and increase
 their worth.