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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from The Cavalry General by Xenophon: there is no accomplishment which so nearly realises the aspiration of
a man to have the wings of a bird than this of horsemanship.[7] But
further, to a victory obtained in war attaches a far greater weight of
glory than belongs to the noblest contest of the arena.[8] Of these
the state indeed will share her meed of glory,[9] but in honour of
victory in war the very gods are wont to crown whole states with
happiness.[10] So that, for my part, I know not if there be aught else
which has a higher claim to be practised than the arts of war.
[7] Cf. "Cyrop." IV. iii. 15; Herod. iv. 132; Plat. "Rep." v. 467 D.
[8] Cf. Eur. "Autolycus," fr. 1, trans. by J. A. Symonds, "Greek
Poets," 2nd series, p. 283.
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