Let us in the next place speak concerning the goods derived from fortune, through which it happens that the manners of men become such as they are. The manners, therefore, of nobility are indeed such as render him who possesses it more ambitious; for all men when any good is present with them are accustomed to accumulate it; but nobility is a certain dignity of ancestors. But it is peculiar to those of noble birth to despise those who resemble their ancestors, i.e. who have recently obtained those goods which their ancestors formerly possessed; because remote renown is more honourable than that which is recently obtained, and is attended with greater glory. A man, however, is noble from the virtue of lineage; but he is generous through not degenerating from the nature of his ancestors; which for the most part is not the case with men of noble birth, since many of them are abject. For there is a fertility in the progenies of men, in the same manner as in the productions of the earth. And sometimes if the stock is good, illustrious men are for a time produced; but afterwards, there is again a remission of fecundity. The progeny, also, which possessed an excellent disposition degenerates into more insane manners, as was the case with the offspring of Alcibiades, and the elder Dionysius. But progeny of a stable disposition degenerate into stupidity and sloth; as was the case with the descendants of Cimon, Pericles, and Socrates.
The lessons published on this site are freely available to read. If you wish to move from reading to formal study — with graded assessments, academic records, and the support of the Academy — you may enroll at any time. Enrollment is open year round, to students of all ages.
