enchiridion on Nostr: “It has often struck our notice that the course our city runs Is the same towards ...

“It has often struck our notice that the course our city runs

Is the same towards men and money.

She has true and worthy sons:
She has good and ancient silver, she has good and recent gold.

These are coins untouched with alloys; everywhere their fame is told;

Not all Hellas holds their equal, not all Barbary far and near.

Gold or silver, each well minted, tested each and ringing clear.

Yet, we never use them!

Others always pass from hand to hand.

Sorry brass just struck last week and branded with a wretched brand.

So with men we know for upright, blameless lives and noble names.

Trained in music and palaestra, freemen's choirs and freemen's games,

These we spurn for men of brass...” - Aristophanes