ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 5

Soc.: Nor about divination?

Alc.: No.

Soc.: About that again the diviner will advise better than you will?

Alc.: True.

Soc.: Whether he be little or great, good or ill - looking, noble or ignoble—makes no difference.

Alc.: Certainly not.

Soc.: A man is a good adviser about anything, not because he has riches, but because he has knowledge?

Alc.: Assuredly.

Soc.: Whether their counsellor is rich or poor, is not a matter which will make any difference to the Athenians when they are deliberating about the health of the citizens; they only require that he should be a physician.

Alc.: Of course.

Soc.: Then what will be the subject of deliberation about which you will be justified in getting up and advising them?

Alc.: About their own concerns, Socrates.

Soc.: You mean about shipbuilding, for example, when the question is what sort of ships they ought to build?

Alc.: No, I should not advise them about that.

Soc.: I suppose, because you do not understand shipbuilding:—is that the reason?

Alc.: It is.

Soc.: Then about what concerns of theirs will you advise them?

Alc.: About war, Socrates, or about peace, or about any other concerns of the state.

Soc.: You mean, when they deliberate with whom they ought to make peace, and with whom they ought to go to war, and in what manner?

Alc.: Yes.

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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