English Original
An Athenian and a Theban were traveling together and passed the time in conversation, as travelers often do. After discussing various topics, they turned to heroes—a subject more fertile for debate than edifying. Each lavished praise on the heroes of his own city. The Theban asserted that Hercules was the greatest hero ever to live on earth and now held a foremost place among the gods. The Athenian, however, insisted that Theseus was far superior, for his fortune had been supremely blessed in every way, whereas Hercules had once been forced to serve as a servant.
The Athenian prevailed, being a very glib fellow like all Athenians. The Theban, no match in argument, finally cried out in disgust: "All right, have your way. I only hope that when our heroes are angry with us, Athens may suffer from the anger of Hercules, and Thebes only from that of Theseus."
中文翻译
一位雅典人和一位底比斯人结伴同行，像旅人常做的那样，用交谈来打发时间。讨论了各种话题后，他们转向了英雄这个话题——这个主题更适合引发争论，而非教化人心。两人都对自己城邦的英雄赞不绝口。底比斯人坚称赫拉克勒斯是地球上最伟大的英雄，如今在众神中占据首要地位。而雅典人则坚持认为提修斯更为卓越，因为他的命运在各方面都备受眷顾，而赫拉克勒斯曾一度被迫为奴。
雅典人占了上风，他像所有雅典人一样能言善辩。底比斯人辩不过他，最终厌恶地喊道：“好吧，随你怎么说。我只希望，当我们的英雄对我们发怒时，雅典承受的是赫拉克勒斯的怒火，而底比斯只承受提修斯的怒火。”