Fragments - Lines 0429 - 0438

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To beget and rear a man is easier than to put good sense
 Inside him. No one yet has ever contrived a way
To make the senseless sensible and good men out of bad.
 If the sons of Asklepios had this gift from the god,
To work a cure on badness and men's infatuate wits,
 Many and great would be the fees they earned.
And if understanding could be fashioned and placed in a man,
 Never would a good man's son have turned out bad,
By heeding the words of sensible counsel. But as it is, no teaching
 Will ever serve to make the bad man good.

© Theognis of Megara