Letter 168: We count you among the company of the Muses, since knowing how to admire educated men is itself a mark of education.

To Stratonikos (359/60) But we are ranking you among the choruses of the Muses, since this very thing too is a part of education: to know how to admire those who are educated. And for the sake of the boy's natural ability, acknowledge your gratitude to the gods; for he is quick-witted and has a good memory and is among those who wish to learn, and his voice too will in time arrive at its finest beauty, for it gives clear signs of it. But indeed the tutor is not inferior to a father in goodwill toward him. To him, even if you give very many things, you will reckon them small. And as for what our disposition is toward those who attend us, there is one near at hand to tell you, your kinsman who is also the governor. For if I am wholly anything, I am one eager on your behalf.

**To Stratonicus** (359/60) Well, we rank you among the company of the Muses, since this very thing — knowing how to admire the educated — is itself a part of education. As for the boy's natural gifts, give thanks to the gods, for he is quick-witted and has a good memory, and he is among those who truly wish to learn. His voice, too, will in time reach its finest quality — one can already tell. Moreover, his tutor is no less devoted than a father in his goodwill. However much you give that man, you will consider it too little. As for my own attitude toward my students — your kinsman who also serves as governor is near at hand and will tell you. If I am anything at all, I am a man well disposed toward you and yours.

Στρατονίκῳ (359/60) Ἀλλ’ ἡμεῖς σε τάττομεν ἐν τοῖς Μουσικοῖς χοροῖς, ἐπεὶ καὶ αὐτὸ τοῦτο παιδείας μέρος τὸ τοὺς πεπαιδευμένους θαυ- μάζειν εἰδέναι. τῆς δὲ τοῦ παιδὸς εἵνεκα φύσεως τοῖς θεοῖς ὁμολόγει χάριν, καὶ γὰρ ἀγχίνους καὶ μνήμων καὶ τῶν βου- λομένων μανθάνειν ἥ τε φωνὴ χρόνῳ πρὸς τὸ κάλλιστον ἥξει, δηλοῖ γάρ. ἀλλὰ μὴν ὅ γε παιδαγωγὸς πατρὸς οὐ χείρων κατὰ τὴν εὔνοιαν. ᾧ κἂν ὅτι πλεῖστα δῷς, μικρὰ ἴσῃ. τὸ δ’ ἡμέτερον πρὸς τοὺς φοιτῶντας ὁποῖον, ἐγγὺς ὁ φράσων ὁ σὸς συγγενής τε καὶ ἄρχων. εἰ δὴ ὅλως ἐγώ, πρό- θυμός τις πρὸς ὑμᾶς.