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things done for others。 But no doubt there was another reason for the
pleasure in such gifts； and that was the sheer delicious taste of the
royal meats。 ＇5＇ Nor should that surprise us； for if we remember to
what a pitch of perfection the other crafts are brought in great
communities； we ought to expect the royal dishes to be wonders of
finished art。 In a small city the same man must make beds and chairs
and ploughs and tables； and often build houses as well； and indeed he
will be only too glad if he can find enough employers in all trades to
keep him。 Now it is impossible that a single man working at a dozen
crafts can do them all well； but in the great cities； owing to the
wide demand for each particular thing； a single craft will suffice for
a means of livelihood； and often enough even a single department of
that； there are shoe…makers who will only make sandals for men and
others only for women。 Or one artisan will get his living merely by
stitching shoes； another by cutting them out； a third by shaping the
upper leathers； and a fourth will do nothing but fit the parts
together。 Necessarily the man who spends all his time and trouble on
the smallest task will do that task the best。 ＇6＇ The arts of the
household must follow the same law。 If one and the same servant makes
the bed； spreads the table； kneads the dough； and cooks the various
dishes； the master must take things as they come； there is no help for
it。 But when there is work enough for one man to boil the pot； and
another to roast the meat； and a third to stew the fish； and a fourth
to fry it； while some one else must bake the bread； and not all of it
either； for the loaves must be of different kinds； and it will be
quite enough if the baker can serve up one kind to perfectionit is
obvious； I think； that in this way a far higher standard of excellence
will be attained in every branch of the work。
＇7＇ Thus it is easy to see how Cyrus could outdo all competitors in
the grace of hospitality； and I will now explain how he came to
triumph in all other services。 Far as he excelled mankind in the scale
of his revenues； he excelled them even more in the grandeur of his
gifts。 It was Cyrus who set the fashion； and we are familiar to this
day with the open…handedness of Oriental kings。 ＇8＇ There is no one；
indeed； in all the world whose friends are seen to be as wealthy as
the friends of the Persian monarch： no one adorns his followers in
such splendour of rich attire； no gifts are so well known as his； the
bracelets； and the necklaces； and the chargers with the golden
bridles。 For in that country no one can have such treasures unless the
king has given them。 ＇9＇ And of whom but the Great King could it be
said that through the splendour of his presents he could steal the
hearts of men and turn them to himself； away from brothers； fathers；
sons？ Who but he could stretch out an arm and take vengeance on his
enemies when yet they were months and months away？ Who but Cyrus ever
won an empire in war； and when he died was called father by the people
he overcame？a title that proclaims the benefactor and not the
robber。 ＇10＇ Indeed； we are led to think that the offices called 〃the
king's eyes〃 and 〃the king's ears〃 came into being through this system
of gifts and honours。 Cyrus' munificence toward all who told him what
it was well for him to know set countless people listening with all
their ears and watching with all their eyes for news that might be of
service to him。 ＇11＇ Thus there sprang up a host of 〃king's eyes〃 and
〃king's ears；〃 as they were called； known and reputed to be such。 But
it is a mistake to suppose that the king has one chosen 〃eye。〃 It is
little that one man can see or one man hear； and to hand over the
office to one single person would be to bid all others go to sleep。
Moreover； his subjects would feel they must be on their guard before
the man they knew was 〃the king's eye。〃 The contrary is the case； the
king will listen to any man who asserts that he has heard or seen
anything that needs attention。 ＇12＇ Hence the saying that the king has
a thousand eyes and a thousand ears； and hence the fear of uttering
anything against his interest since 〃he is sure to hear；〃 or doing
anything that might injure him 〃since he may be there to see。〃 So far；
therefore； from venturing to breathe a syllable against Cyrus； every
man felt that he was under the eye and within the hearing of a king
who was always present。 For this universal feeling towards him I can
give no other reason than his resolve to be a benefactor on a most
mighty scale。
＇13＇ It is not surprising； no doubt； that being the wealthiest of men；
he could outdo the world in the splendour of his gifts。 The remarkable
thing was to find a king outstrip his courtiers in courtesy and
kindness。 There was nothing； so the story runs； that could ever shame
him more than to be outdone in courtesy。 ＇14＇ Indeed； a saying of his
is handed down comparing a good king to a good shepherdthe shepherd
must manage his flock by giving them all they need； and the king must
satisfy the needs of his cities and his subjects if he is to manage
them。 We need not wonder； then； that with such opinions his ambition
was to excel mankind in courtesy and care。 ＇15＇ There was a noble
illustration of his philosophy in the answer we are told he gave to
Croesus； who had taken him to task； saying his lavish gifts would
bring him to beggary； although he could lay by more treasures for
himself than any man had ever had before。 Cyrus； it is said； asked him
in return； 〃How much wealth do you suppose I could have amassed
already； had I collected gold； as you bid me； ever since I came into
my empire？〃
＇16＇ And Croesus named an enormous sum。 Then Cyrus said； 〃Listen；
Croesus； here is my friend； Hystaspas； and you must send with him a
man that you can trust。〃 Then； turning to Hystaspas； 〃Do you；〃 he
said； 〃go round to my friends and tell them that I need money for a
certain enterpriseand that is true； I do need it。 Bid each of them
write down the amount he can give me； seal the letter； and hand it to
the messenger of Croesus； who will bring it here。〃 ＇17＇ Thereupon
Cyrus wrote his wishes and put his seal on the letter； and gave it to
Hystaspas to carry round； only he added a request that they should all
welcome Hystaspas as a friend of his。 And when the messengers came
back； the officer of Croesus carrying the answers； Hystaspas cried；
〃Cyrus； my lord； you must know I am a rich man now！ I have made my
fortune； thanks to your letter！ They have loaded me with gifts。〃 ＇18＇
And Cyrus said； 〃There； Croesus； that is treasure number one； and now
run through the rest； and count what sums I have in hand； in case I
need them。〃 And Croesus counted； and found； so the story tells us；
that the sum was far larger than the amount he had said would have
been lying in the treasury if only Cyrus had made a hoard。 ＇19＇ At
this discovery Cyrus said； so we are told； 〃You see； Croesus； I have
my treasures too。 Only you advise me to collect them and hide them；
and be envied and hated because of them； and set mercenaries to guard
them； putting my trust in hirelings。 But I hold t