ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 19

Soc.: What would you say of courage? At what price would you be willing to be deprived of courage?

Alc.: I would rather die than be a coward.

Soc.: Then you think that cowardice is the worst of evils?

Alc.: I do.

Soc.: As bad as death, I suppose?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And life and courage are the extreme opposites of death and cowardice?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And they are what you would most desire to have, and their opposites you would least desire?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: Is this because you think life and courage the best, and death and cowardice the worst?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And you would term the rescue of a friend in battle honourable, in as much as courage does a good work?

Alc.: I should.

Soc.: But evil because of the death which ensues?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: Might we not describe their different effects as follows:—You may call either of them evil in respect of the evil which is the result, and good in respect of the good which is the result of either of them?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And they are honourable in so far as they are good, and dishonourable in so far as they are evil?

Alc.: True.

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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