ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 10

Soc.: And two years ago, and three years ago, and four years ago, you knew all the same?

Alc.: I did.

Soc.: And more than four years ago you were a child—were you not?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And then I am quite sure that you thought you knew.

Alc.: Why are you so sure?

Soc.: Because I often heard you when a child, in your teacher's house, or elsewhere, playing at dice or some other game with the boys, not hesitating at all about the nature of the just and unjust; but very confident—crying and shouting that one of the boys was a rogue and a cheat, and had been cheating. Is it not true?

Alc.: But what was I to do, Socrates, when anybody cheated me?

Soc.: And how can you say, 'What was I to do'? if at the time you did not know whether you were wronged or not?

Alc.: To be sure I knew; I was quite aware that I was being cheated.

Soc.: Then you suppose yourself even when a child to have known the nature of just and unjust?

Alc.: Certainly; and I did know then.

Soc.: And when did you discover them—not, surely, at the time when you thought that you knew them?

Alc.: Certainly not.

Soc.: And when did you think that you were ignorant—if you consider, you will find that there never was such a time?

Alc.: Really, Socrates, I cannot say.

Soc.: Then you did not learn them by discovering them?

Alc.: Clearly not.

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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