1And yet those whose pursuits and whole life were spent in the study of nature have not withdrawn from increasing the advantages and interests of mankind; 1for they educated many, to make them better citizens and more useful to their states, as Lysis the Pythagorean educated Epaminondas of Thebes, Plato Dion of Syracuse, and many men many others; and I myself, whatever I have contributed to the state, if indeed I have contributed anything, came to it trained and equipped by teachers and learning. 156And not only while living and present do they instruct and teach those eager to learn, but they achieve this same end even after death by the monuments of their writings.
156For no subject has been passed over by them which concerned the laws, customs or discipline of the state, so that they seem to have devoted their leisure to our business. 156So those very men, devoted to the pursuit of learning and wisdom, bring their wisdom and understanding above all to the service of mankind; 156and for this reason too, to speak with fluency, provided it is with wisdom, is better than to think, however acutely, without eloquence, because thought turns in upon itself, whereas eloquence embraces those with whom we are joined in fellowship. 157And as swarms of bees do not gather for the sake of fashioning honeycombs, but, being gregarious by nature, fashion honeycombs, so men, and much more so, being by nature gathered together, apply their skill in acting and thinking.
157And so, unless that virtue which consists in protecting men, that is, in the society of the human race, should touch upon knowledge, knowledge would seem solitary and barren; and likewise greatness of spirit, divorced from fellowship and human ties, would be a kind of savagery and brutality. 157So it comes about that the fellowship and community of men prevails over the pursuit of knowledge. 158Nor is it true, as is said by some, that it was because of the necessities of life, since we could not obtain and achieve without others what nature required, that community and society with men were formed; 158but if everything that relates to food and clothing were supplied to us as if by a magic wand, as they say, then every man of the best ability would give up all business and devote himself wholly to knowledge and science.
158That is not so; 158for he would both flee solitude and seek a companion in his study, and would wish now to teach, now to learn, now to listen, now to speak. 158Therefore every duty which serves to maintain the union and society of men must be preferred to that duty which consists in knowledge and science.