Moreover, none of the reproach that you imagine attaches to sponging; you refer, of course, to the difference in their degrees; but then it is an advantage to the rich man to keep the other; apart from his ornamental use, he is a most valuable bodyguard. In battle no one will be over ready to undertake the rich man with such a comrade at his side; and you can hardly, having him, die by poison. Who would dare attempt such a thing, with him tasting your food and drink? So he brings you not only credit, but insurance. His affection is such that he will run all risks; he would never leave his patron to face the dangers of the table alone; no, he would rather eat and die with him. _Tyc_. You have stated your case without missing a point, Simon. Do not tell me you were unprepared again; you have been trained in a good school, man. But one thing more I should like to know. There is a nasty sound about the word sponger, don’t you think? _Si_. See whether I have a satisfactory answer to that. Oblige me by giving what you consider the right answers to my questions. Sponging is an old word; what does it really mean? _Tyc_. Getting your dinner at some one else’s expense. _Si_. Dining out, in fact? _Tyc_. Yes. _Si_. And we may call a sponger an out-diner? _Tyc_. The gravamen’s in that; he should dine at home. _Si_. A few more answers, please. Of these pairs, which do you consider the best? Which would you take, if you had the choice?-To sail, or to out-sail? _Tyc_. The latter. _Si_. To run or out-run? _Tyc_. The latter. _Si_. Ride or out-ride, shoot or out-shoot? _Tyc_. Still the same. _Si_. So I presume an out-diner is better than a diner? _Tyc_. Indisputable. Henceforward I shall come to you morning and afternoon like a schoolboy for lessons. And I am sure you ought to do your very best for me, as your first pupil. The first child is always the mother’s joy, you know. [Footnote: It has been necessary, in Section 60, to tamper a little with the Greek in order to get the point, such as it is; but it has not been seriously misrepresented.] ANACHARSIS, A DISCUSSION OF PHYSICAL TRAINING _Anacharsis. Solon_