Now in fact, so far from scorning the education which was handed down by our ancestors,
 I even commend that which has been set up in our own day—I mean geometry, astronomy, and
 the so-called eristic dialogues, Cf. Isoc. 15.265 and note. which our young men delight in more than they
 should, although among the older men not one would not declare them insufferable. Nevertheless, I urge those who are inclined towards these disciplines to work hard and
 apply themselves to all of them, saying that even if this learning can accomplish no other
 good, at any rate it keeps the young out of many other things which are harmful. Nay, I
 hold that for those who are at this age no more helpful or fitting occupation can be found
 than the pursuit of these studies; but for those who are older and for those who have been admitted to man’s estate I assert
 that these disciplines are no longer suitable. For I observe that some of those who have
 become so thoroughly versed in these studies as to instruct others in them fail to use
 opportunely the knowledge which they possess, while in the other activities of life they
 are less cultivated See General Introduction. than
 their students—I hesitate to say less cultivated than their servants. I have the same fault to find also with those who are skilled in oratory and those who
 are distinguished for their writings and in general with all who have superior attainments
 in the arts, in the sciences, and in specialized skill. For I know that the majority even
 of these men have not set their own house in order, that they are insupportable in their
 private intercourse, that they belittle the opinions of their fellow citizens, and that
 they are given over to many other grave offences. So that I do not think that even these
 may be said to partake of the state of culture of which I am speaking. Whom, then, do I call educated, since I exclude the arts and sciences and specialties?
 First, those who manage well the circumstances which they encounter day by day, and who
 possess a judgement which is accurate in meeting occasions as they arise and rarely misses
 the expedient course of action; See General Introduction;
 Isoc. 13.3 , Isoc. 13.16 ,
 Isoc. 13.17 ; Isoc. 15.184 ,
 Isoc. 15.271 .