"For what the horse does under compulsion, as Simon also observes, is done without understanding; and there is no beauty in it either, any more than if one should whip and spur a dancer"

When Xenophon contrasts actions done under compulsion with those done willingly and with understanding, he emphasizes the importance of voluntary cooperation and the inherent beauty that arises from it. The horse, a creature capable of both learning and partnership, cannot truly participate in meaningful work if its actions are merely forced by the threat of pain or punishment. Without comprehension, without engagement, the movements of the horse become mechanical and devoid of artistry.

Xenophon draws a parallel between the horse’s forced compliance and the spectacle of a dancer coerced by “whip and spur.” Dance, a pursuit of grace and expression, loses all aesthetic value and spirit when reduced to a mere response to pain or brute force. The physical movement may exist, but the soul, the understanding, joy, and intention behind it, is absent. Beauty, from his perspective, is thus not found in outward conformity produced by fear, but in the willing, thoughtful participation of the being involved.

Moreover, these lines underscore a broader principle relevant not only to the training of animals but also to human relationships and teaching. Authority by threat fosters only resentment or mindless obedience. The result is shallow: obedience exists, but it is empty, lacking depth and elegance. Xenophon advocates instead for a kind of training and interaction premised on respect, dialogue, and the cultivation of understanding. When an animal, or a person, acts from knowledge and intent, their movements and actions acquire true beauty, grace, and efficiency.

The heart of Xenophon’s insight lies in the recognition that meaningful partnership, whether between rider and horse or teacher and student, must be founded on communication, empathy, and shared purpose. Mere compulsion might achieve results, but without understanding and willingness, it cannot produce mastery or true artistry.