Book 2
9.8
Archedemus was glad to humour Criton, and so there was peace not only for Criton but for his friends as well. If anyone whom he had offended reproached Archedemus with flattering Criton because he found him useful, he would answer: Which, then, is disgraceful: to have honest men for your friends, by accepting and returning their favours, and to fall out with rogues; or to treat gentlemen as enemies by trying to injure them, and to make friends of rogues by siding with them, and to prefer their intimacy?The Archedemus surpasses even the Socrates of Xenophon in the art of dressing up the obvious in the guise of a conundrum.Henceforward Archedemus was respected by Criton’s friends and was himself numbered among them.
10.1
Again I recall the following conversation between him and his companion Diodorus.Tell me, Diodorus, he said, if one of your servants runs away, do you take steps to bring him back safe?
10.2
Yes, of course, he replied, and I invite others to help, by offering a reward for the recovery of the man.And further, if one of your servants is ill, do you take care of him and call in doctors to prevent him dying?Indeed I do.Well, suppose that one of your acquaintance, who is much more useful than your servants, is near being ruined by want, don’t you think it worth your while to take steps to save him?
