Philip Addresses his Sons
"One should not merely read tragedies, tales, and
note
histories, but should understand and ponder over
them. In all of them one may learn that whenever brothers fall out and allow their quarrel to
go any great length, they invariably end not only
by destroying themselves but in the utter ruin
of their property, children, and cities; while
those who keep their self-love within reasonable bounds, and
put up with each other's weaknesses, are the preservers of
these, and live in the fairest reputation and fame. I have
often directed your attention to the kings in Sparta, telling you
that they preserved the hegemony in Greece for their country
just so long as they obeyed the ephors, as though they were
their parents, and were content to reign jointly. But directly
they in their folly tried to change the government to a
monarchy, they caused Sparta to experience every misery
possible. Finally, I have pointed out to you as an example
the case of Eumenes and Attalus; showing you that, though
they succeeded to but a small and insignificant realm, they
have raised it to a level with the best, simply by the harmony and
unity of sentiment, and mutual respect which they maintained
towards each other. But so far from taking my words to heart,
you are, as it seems to me, whetting your angry passions against
each other. . . ."
