1And since the same duties are not assigned to different ages, and some belong to the young, others to the old, something must also be said about this distinction. 1It is the part of a young man, then, to respect his elders and to choose from among them the best and most approved, on whose advice and authority he may rely; 1for the inexperience of early years must be set in order and guided by the wisdom of the old. 1This age, above all, must be kept away from lusts and trained in toil and endurance of both mind and body, so that their energy may flourish in both military and civil duties.
1And even when they wish to relax their minds and give themselves to enjoyment, let them beware of excess and remember modesty, which will be easier if they are not unwilling for their elders to be present even at things of this kind. 123For old men, on the other hand, bodily labours seem to need reducing and exercises of the mind even increasing; 123and they should take pains to help their friends, the young, and above all the state as much as possible with their counsel and wisdom. 123Nothing, moreover, must old age guard against more than giving itself up to languor and idleness; 123luxury, indeed, while shameful at every age, is most disgusting in old age; 123but if unrestrained lust is added as well, the evil is twofold, because old age itself incurs disgrace and makes the excesses of the young more shameless.
124Nor is it out of place to speak of the duties of magistrates, of private citizens, and of foreigners. 124It is, then, the particular function of a magistrate to understand that he bears the character of the state and ought to uphold its dignity and honour, preserve the laws, define rights, and remember that these things have been entrusted to his good faith. 124A private citizen, on the other hand, ought to live on fair and equal terms with his fellow citizens, neither submissive and abject nor exalting himself, and also to want in public affairs what is peaceful and honourable; 124for such a man we are accustomed both to regard and to call a good citizen.
125The duty of a foreigner and a resident alien is to do nothing but his own business, to inquire into nothing about another's, and least of all to meddle in a state not his own. 125Thus duties will generally be discovered when it is asked what is fitting and what is suited to persons, circumstances and ages. 125But nothing is so fitting as to maintain consistency in conducting every affair and in forming every plan.