Phaedrus — Plato

p. 39in talking with me, he was prevented from seeing Cleinias, who was between us ; and so, partly because he wanted to look at his love, and also because he was interested, he jumped up and stood opposite to us : and all the other admirers of Cleinias, as well as the disciples ot Euthydemus and Dionysoclorus, followed his example.

And these were the persons wliom I showed to Euthydemus, telling him that they were all eager to learn : to which Ctesippus and all of them with one voice vehemently assented, and bid him exhibit the power of his wisdom. Then I said : O Euthydemus and Dionysodorus, I earnestly request you to do myself and the company the favor to exhibit.

There may be some trouble in giving the whole exhibition ; but tell me one thing, — can yo 1 make a good man only of him who is convinced that he ought to learn of you, or of him also who is not convinced ? either because he imagines that virtue is not a thing which can be taught at all, or that you two are not the teachers of it.

Say whether your art is able to persuade such a one nevertheless that virtue can be taught ; and that you are the men from whom he will be most Ukely to learn. This is the art, Socrates, said Dionysodorus, and no other. And you, Dionysodorus, I said, are the men who among those who are now living are the most likely to stimulate him to philosophy and the study of virtue? Yes, Socrates, I rather think that we are.

Then I wish that you would be so good as to defer the other part of the exhibition, and only try to persuade the youth whom you see here that he ought to be a philosopher and study virtue. Exhibit that, and you will confer ' a great favor on me and on every one present ; for the fact is that I and all of us are extremely anxious that he should be truly good.

His name is Cleinias, and he is the son of Axiochus, and grandson of the old Alcibiades, cousin of the Alcibiades that no\^is. He is quite young, and we are natu rally afraid that soihe one may get the start of us, and turn his mind in a wrong direction, and he may be ruined. Your visit, therefore, is most happily timed ; and I hope that you will make a trial of the young man, and converse with him in our presence, if you have no objection. These were pretty nearly the expressions which I used ; and Euthydemus, in a lofty and at the same time cheerful 3p. 38not in a small but in a large way of wisdom, for they know all about war, — all that a good general ought to know about the array and command of an army, and the whole art of fighting in armor : and they know about the law too, and can teach a man how to use the weapons of the courts when he is injured.

They heard me say this, and I was despised by them ; they looked at one another, and both of them laughed; and then Euthydemus said : Those, Socrates, are matters which we no longer pursue seriously ; they are secondary occupations to us. Indeed, I said, if such occupations are regarded by you as secondary, what must the principal one be; tell me, I beseech you, what that noble study is?

The teaching of virtue, Socrates, he replied, is our principal occupation; and we believe that we can impart it better and quicker^han any man. My God ! I said, and where did you learn that ? I always thought, as I was saying just now, that your chief accomplishment was the art of fighting in armor; and this was what I used to say of you, for I remember that this was professed by you when you were here before.

But now if you really have the other knowledge, O forgive me: I address you as I would superior beings, and ask you to pardon the impiety of my former expressions. But are you quite sure about this, ''^ Dionysodorus and Euthydemus ? the promise is so vast, that a feeling of incredulity will creep in. You may take our word, Socrates, for the fact.

Then I think you happier in having such a treasure than the great king^^ is in the possession of his kingdom. And please to tell me whether you intend to exhibit this wisdom, or what you will do. That is why we are come hither, Socrates ; and our purpose is not only to exhibit, but also to teach any one who likes to learn. But I can promise you, I said, that every unvirtuous person will want to learn.

I shall be the first ; and there is the youth Cleinias, and Ctesippus : and here are several others, I said, pointing to the lovers of Cleinias, who were beginning to gather round us. Now Ctesippus was sitting at some distance from Cleinias ; and when Euthydemus leaned forward " King of Persia.