Strona 358 z 2651

In ancient times, before any charities of this kind had been

established for the education of indigent people to the learned

professions, the rewards of eminent teachers appear to have been

much more considerable. Isocrates, in what is called his

discourse against the sophists, reproaches the teachers of his

own times with inconsistency. "They make the most magnificent

promises to their scholars," says he, "and undertake to teach

them to be wise, to be happy, and to be just; and, in return for

so important a service, they stipulate the paltry reward of four

or five minae." "They who teach wisdom," continues he, "ought

certainly to be wise themselves; but if any man were to sell such

a bargain for such a price, he would be convicted of the most

evident folly." He certainly does not mean here to exaggerate the

reward, and we may be assured that it was not less than he

represents it.