History as past ethics; an introduction to the history of morals

by P. V. N. Myers

[452] Mahaffy, Social Life in Greece (1888), p. 120.

[453] Politics, vi. 4, sec. 12. This contempt for tradesmen and laborers, generally speaking, continued through all periods of Greek history. In some states, however, particularly in Athens, it underwent modification. “The later Athenians began to consider trade an honorable road to riches, and aristocrats like Nicias were known as careful trade masters.” In Rhodes, also, trade became honorable.

[454] Paulsen, System of Ethics, tr. Thilly, p. 62 n.

[455] Laws, tr. Jowett, xi. 919.

[456] They were charged with adulteration of foods, cheating in measure, etc. Demosthenes declares that a man honest in commercial transactions was a prodigy. Cf. Mahaffy, Social Life in Greece (1888), p. 419.

[457] See above, p. 89.

[458] This ethical feeling is to be reckoned with in dealing with Asiatics—until there is a change in their ideal of manliness. The overlooking of an injury is apt to be regarded by them as an indication of weakness and cowardice.

[459] Schmidt, Die Ethik der alten Griechen (1882), Bd. ii, S. 312.

[460] Herod. vi. 24. The Delphian oracle tried to cure this defect in the national character. See the story of Glaucus, Herod. vi. 86.

[461] Die Ethik der alten Griechen (1882), Bd. ii, S. 413.