Who,
when he thinks of Homer and Hesiod and other great poets, would not rather
have their children than ordinary human ones? Who would not emulate them
in the creation of children such as theirs, which have preserved their
memory and given them everlasting glory? Or who would not have such
children as Lycurgus left behind him to be the saviours, not only of
Lacedaemon, but of Hellas, as one may say? There is Solon, too, who is the
revered father of Athenian laws; and many others there are in many other
places, both among Hellenes and barbarians, who have given to the world
many noble works, and have been the parents of virtue of every kind; and
many temples have been raised in their honour for the sake of children such
as theirs; which were never raised in honour of any one, for the sake of
his mortal children.
'These are the lesser mysteries of love, into which even you, Socrates, may
enter; to the greater and more hidden ones which are the crown of these,
and to which, if you pursue them in a right spirit, they will lead, I know
not whether you will be able to attain.
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