Cyropaedia: The Education of Cyrus Paperback – December 30, 2010

"... Our laws themselves, I think, enforce this double lesson:—'Rule thou and be thou ruled.' And when I come to study the secret of it all, I seem to see that the real incentive to obedience lies in the praise and honour that it wins against the discredit and the chastisement which fall on the disobedient." (21) "That, my son," said the father, "is the road to the obedience of compulsion. But there is a shorter way to a nobler goal, the obedience of the will. When the interests of mankind are at stake, they will obey with joy the man whom they believe to be wiser than themselves. You may prove this on all sides: you may see how the sick man will beg the doctor to tell him what he ought to do, how a whole ship's company will listen to the pilot, how travellers will cling to the one who knows the way better, as they believe, than they do themselves. But if men think that obedience will lead them to disaster, then nothing, neither penalties, nor persuasion, nor gifts, will avail to rouse them. For no man accepts a bribe to his own destruction." (22) "You would have me understand," said Cyrus, "that the best way to secure obedience is to be thought wiser than those we rule?" "Yes," said Cambyses, "that is my belief."Dakyns, a student of Benjamin Jowett, translated all of Xenophon's writings in the late 19th C. He considered this a late work of Xenophon's, and it was the last work he himself translated. The notes for this volume were adapted from Dakyn's marginal notes to himself in his copy. Overall, it seems to be a much looser job than his translation of the Anabasis or the Memorabilia. (one reason I am giving four stars instead of five) For instance, he will often use phrases from the King James Bible, if the Greek reminds him of it (this is an abiding temptation for 19th C translators).The story, as is often pointed out, is more romance than chronicle. Here is one 'leadership secret' which seems as useful today as it did in the 4th C. B.C.:... So the officers went to their quarters, and as they went they talked of Cyrus, and what a marvellous memory he had, always naming each officer as he assigned him his post. (47) The fact was Cyrus took special pains over this: it struck him as odd that a mere mechanic could know the names of all his tools, and a physician the names of all his instruments, but a general be such a simpleton that he could not name his own officers, the very tools he had to depend on each time he wanted to seize a point or fortify a post or infuse courage or inspire terror. Moreover it seemed to him only courteous to address a man by name when he wished to honour him. (48) And he was sure that the man who feels he is personally known to his commander is more eager to be seen performing some noble feat of arms, and more careful to refrain from all that is unseemly and base. (49) Cyrus thought it would be quite foolish for him to give his orders in the style of certain householders: "Somebody fetch the water, some one split the wood." (50) After a command of that kind, every one looks at every one else, and no one carries it out, every one is to blame, and no one is ashamed or afraid, because there are so many beside himself. Therefore Cyrus always named the officers whenever he gave an order.

Not a page turner, but an excellent book regarding the attributes that a leader must have/learn/practice.The only thing that is not needed nowadays is horsemanship, but all the other fields are seen in a good leader, somebody who inspires his fellows.Cyrus balances his many attributes and deals with conflicts in a long term view, for the benefit of his fellows, his empire and himself (in this order).I would classify this book under management.

The translation was fine. But this is not a complete picture of Cyrus and the stories are less interesting than what Herodotus wrote in far fewer pages. The drama and level of conflict is low. The style is Socratic with lots of remarks about proper character and how to govern people. But not much detail compared with other Cyrus works. Perhaps Xenophon was not as well informed about the events that happened 200 years his prior.

The tails here in are of one of us that was here and did what he was asked and suppose to do.He knew he come, he knew he is here he knew he will go.His only mistake he didn't go, he's here always.This is a simple story of an un ordinary man.I loved it.You'll need to over come some linguistic difficulties open you're perspective slightly and the lessons are there valid as all ways.Look at the content more than the literature side.If the word ancient world bothers you remember there's nothing new under the sun.

A truly amazing translation of an ancient text. The morals that this small book have to teach should be standard fare for all school children -- and all politicians should be forced to re-read it yearly. A masterpiece on true leadership.

A special note-- "Forgotten Books" series are sleek, very good quality paperbacks."Cyropaedia."There are debates as to whether Xenophon meant this as a pure historical account of Cyrus the Great. I don't believe he did. In Cyropaedia there are scenes that are straight from some of Xenophon's own works, "Anabasis," "Memorabilia," and "Agesilaus."Cyropaedia reads more like an excellent historical 'novel.'

One must read all the translator notes to fully appreciate the philosophical content, which mostly is not too obvious without the notes. Yet, the notes all are inconviently located after the end of all the text. I took the trouble of finding and reading the relevant notes after finishing each book (chapter). I suggest reading the Anabasis is prior to tackling this.

I read this on Kindle, and it was well written, and the footnotes are really interesting as they give glimpses into the history of the time and other influences Xenophon likely would have had when he wrote what he wrote.All in all a very interesting book, and very inspiring; it makes one want to strive to live an honorable life.

No translation from another language, especially an ancient language is easy, either to make or to do. Yet this must be one of the most readable from the world of Ancient Greece about Ancient Persia and Medea,I am researching this period for something I am writing myself and find the lack or sources much restored by this view of a person and his world.

Fantastic book to open your mind about how you go about things in life. It's well written and has a great story to tell so my advice is to give it a go!

Book material according to my expectations.

It’s very good book thank you Amazon

Xenophon tells a story from real life.This is a very sensible guy telling a learning story 400 years before Jesus.Henrik SchilderCopenhagen