You want me to trust you with my business? You're a man who has corrupted his own will. You'd sell out for a little money or some job or promotion at court. You'd even murder your own children if it helped you, like Medea did. Where's the fairness in that? But prove to me that you're trustworthy, humble, and reliable. Show me you have good principles. Show me your container has no holes in it. Then you'll see — I won't wait for you to trust me with your affairs. I'll come to you myself and ask you to listen to mine. Who doesn't want to use a good container? Who doesn't value a kind and faithful advisor? Who wouldn't gladly welcome someone ready to share the load of their troubles and lighten the burden by taking part of it?
Would you have me intrust mine to you, a man who has dishonored his own faculty of will, and who wishes to gain some small bit of money or some office or promotion in the court (emperor's palace), even if you should be going to murder your own children, like Medea? Where (in what) is this equality (fairness)? But show yourself to me to be faithful, modest, and steady; show me that you have friendly opinions; show that your cask has no hole in it; and you will see how I shall not wait for you to trust me with your own affairs, but I myself shall come to you and ask you to hear mine. For who does not choose to make use of a good vessel? Who does not value a benevolent and faithful adviser? Who will not willingly receive a man who is ready to bear a share, as we may say, of the difficulty of his circumstances, and by this very act to ease the burden, by taking a part of it.