1They have one kind of public show, and the same at every gathering: naked young men, for whom this is a sport, fling themselves with a leap between swords and levelled frameae. 2Practice has produced skill, and skill grace, yet not for profit or pay: however daring the play, its reward is the pleasure of the spectators. 3Dice, which may surprise you, they play when sober, among their serious pursuits, with such recklessness in winning or losing that, when everything else has run out, they stake their liberty and their persons on the last and final throw. 4The loser goes into voluntary slavery; 4though he be younger, though he be stronger, he allows himself to be bound and sold.
4Such is their stubbornness in a bad practice; 4they themselves call it honour. 4Slaves of this condition they pass on by trade, so as to free themselves too from the shame of their victory.