This article considers the oeuvre of Xenophon (c.430-354 bc) as providing an insight into the concept of "care of the self" in Greek education. In many of his works the leading characters are men who take care of themselves through education. Addressing the theme of "fathers and sons," Xenophon aimed to show that "care of the self" is a particular way of upbringing in the family and in the "polis," where the older instruct the younger in fulfilling their duties according to their age, following model examples of thought and conduct during work and leisure. Thus, with the help of specific situations involving parents and children, mentors and their pupils, Xenophon established a general framework for understanding the ancient citizens and family men, to whom education and self-education were a special means of finding their own identity in their culture.