For these reasons especially I have undertaken to write this discourse because I believed
 that for you, for your children, and for all the other descendants of Evagoras, it would
 be by far the best incentive, if someone should assemble his achievements, give them
 verbal adornment, and submit them to you for your contemplation and study. For we exhort young men to the study of philosophy Cf.
 Vol. I, Introd. pp. xxvi and xxvii for the “philosophy” of Isocrates. by praising
 others in order that they, emulating those who are eulogized, may desire to adopt the same
 pursuits, but I appeal to you and yours, using as examples not aliens, but members of your
 own family, and I counsel you to devote your attention to this, that you may not be
 surpassed in either word or deed by any of the Hellenes And do not imagine that I am reproaching you for indifference at present, because I
 often admonish you on the same subject. See Isocrates, Vol.
 I, p. 39, L.C.L., Introd. to the discourse To Nicocles , Isoc. 2 . For it has not escaped the notice of either me or anyone else
 that you, Nicocles, are the first and the only one of those who possess royal power,
 wealth, and luxury who has undertaken to pursue the study of philosophy, nor that you will
 cause many kings, emulating your culture, to desire these studies and to abandon the
 pursuits in which they now take too great pleasure. Although I am aware of these things, none the less I am acting, and shall continue to
 act, in the same fashion as spectators at the athletic games: for they do not shout
 encouragement to the runners who have been distanced in the race, but to those who still
 strive for the victory. It is my task, therefore, and that of your other friends, to speak and to write in such
 fashion as may be likely to incite you to strive eagerly after those things which even now
 you do in fact desire: 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 though it is the duty of all to place a high
 value upon wisdom, yet you kings especially should do so, who have power over very many
 and weighty affairs.