ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 21

Soc.: Do you remember our admissions about the just?

Alc.: Yes; if I am not mistaken, we said that those who acted justly must also act honourably.

Soc.: And the honourable is the good?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And the good is expedient?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: Then, Alcibiades, the just is expedient?

Alc.: I should infer so.

Soc.: And all this I prove out of your own mouth, for I ask and you answer?

Alc.: I must acknowledge it to be true.

Soc.: And having acknowledged that the just is the same as the expedient, are you not (let me ask) prepared to ridicule any one who, pretending to understand the principles of justice and injustice, gets up to advise the noble Athenians or the ignoble Peparethians, that the just may be the evil?

Alc.: I solemnly declare, Socrates, that I do not know what I am saying. Verily, I am in a strange state, for when you put questions to me I am of different minds in successive instants.

Soc.: And are you not aware of the nature of this perplexity, my friend?

Alc.: Indeed I am not.

Soc.: Do you suppose that if some one were to ask you whether you have two eyes or three, or two hands or four, or anything of that sort, you would then be of different minds in successive instants?

Alc.: I begin to distrust myself, but still I do not suppose that I should.

Soc.: You would feel no doubt; and for this reason—because you would know?

Alc.: I suppose so.

Soc.: And the reason why you involuntarily contradict yourself is clearly that you are ignorant?

Alc.: Very likely.

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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