Antidosis

No, you ought to believe rather that those are better off now and will receive the advantage in the future at the hands of the gods[*](Cf. Isoc. 8.34.) who are the most righteous and the most faithful in their devotions, and that those receive the better portion at the hands of men who are the most conscientious in their dealings with their associates, whether in their homes or in public life, and are themselves esteemed as the noblest among their fellows.

This is verily the truth, and it is well for us to adopt this way of speaking on the subject, since, as things now are, Athens has in many respects been plunged into such a state of topsy-turvy and confusion that some of our people no longer use words in their proper meaning but wrest them from the most honorable associations and apply them to the basest pursuits.[*](Reminiscent of Thuc. 3.82 ff.)

On the one hand, they speak of men who play the buffoon and have a talent for mocking and mimicking as “gifted”[*](Cf. Isoc. 7.49.)—an appellation which should be reserved for men endowed with the highest excellence; while, on the other hand, they think of men who indulge their depraved and criminal instincts and who for small gains acquire a base reputation as “getting the advantage,” instead of applying this term to the most righteous and the most upright, that is, to men who take advantage of the good and not the evil things of life.