Neglect on their part is to be punished in the first class by a fine of a hundred drachmas, and proportionally in the others.

Now madness is of various kinds; in addition to that which arises from disease there is the madness which originates in a passionate temperament, and makes men when engaged in a quarrel use foul and abusive language against each other.

This is intolerable in a well-ordered state; and therefore our law shall be as follows:--No one is to speak evil of another, but when men differ in opinion they are to instruct one another without speaking evil.

Nor should any one seek to rouse the passions which education has calmed; for he who feeds and nurses his wrath is apt to make ribald jests at his opponent, with a loss of character or dignity to himself.

And for this reason no one may use any abusive word in a temple, or at sacrifices, or games, or in any public assembly, and he who offends shall be censured by the proper magistrate; and the magistrate, if he fail to censure him, shall not claim the prize of virtue.