I am reading a lot of Isocrates, because he may not be as famous as his namesake Socrates, but he was, in many ways, just more practical.
A lot of the citations just speak for themselves, so I will give you a small cavalcade here.
And in btw. I have reached out with my press message about the burning of Koran, and I have been received nicely by Associated Press. I believe, that a good conclusion to that exchange could be some kind of cooperation.
It is not about the fame, it is about the democratic dialogue. I believe that it is very important that the public have easy access to the speech of the philosophers. They may happen to disagree, and they should have the right to do just that.
Otherwise I end up as a secret guardian of Democracy, which is fine by me, but is it fine to the people?
“think that all would agree that it is a king’s business to relieve the state when it is in distress, to maintain it in prosperity, and to make it great when it is small; for it is with these ends in view that the other duties which present themselves day by day must be performed.” (from “Delphi Complete Works of Isocrates (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics Book 73)” by Isocrates)
“This thought you must lay to heart, and see to it that in proportion as you are above the others in rank so shall you surpass them in virtue;” (from “Delphi Complete Works of Isocrates (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics Book 73)” by Isocrates)
“But, in addition, one must be a lover of men and a lover of his country; for neither horses nor dogs nor men nor any other thing can be properly controlled except by one who takes pleasure in the objects for which it is his duty to care.” (from “Delphi Complete Works of Isocrates (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics Book 73)” by Isocrates)
“You will be a wise leader of the people if you do not allow the multitude either to do or to suffer outrage, but see to it that the best among them shall have the honors, while the rest shall suffer no impairment of their rights; for these are the first and most important elements of good government.” (from “Delphi Complete Works of Isocrates (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics Book 73)” by Isocrates)
“Deliver your citizens from their many fears, and be not willing that dread should beset men who have done no wrong;” (from “Delphi Complete Works of Isocrates (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics Book 73)” by Isocrates)
“You must care for the people and make it your first consideration to rule acceptably to them, [16] knowing that all governments — oligarchies as well as the others — have the longest life when they best serve the masses.” (from “Delphi Complete Works of Isocrates (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics Book 73)” by Isocrates)
“Believe that your staunchest body-guard lies in the virtue of your friends, the loyalty of your citizens and your own wisdom; for it is through these that one can best acquire as well as keep the powers of royalty.” (from “Delphi Complete Works of Isocrates (Illustrated) (Delphi Ancient Classics Book 73)” by Isocrates)