ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 27

Soc.: But, my dear friend, do consider what you are saying.

Alc.: What am I to consider?

Soc.: In the first place, will you be more likely to take care of yourself, if you are in a wholesome fear and dread of them, or if you are not?

Alc.: Clearly, if I have such a fear of them.

Soc.: And do you think that you will sustain any injury if you take care of yourself?

Alc.: No, I shall be greatly benefited.

Soc.: And this is one very important respect in which that notion of yours is bad.

Alc.: True.

Soc.: In the next place, consider that what you say is probably false.

Alc.: How so?

Soc.: Let me ask you whether better natures are likely to be found in noble races or not in noble races?

Alc.: Clearly in noble races.

Soc.: Are not those who are well born and well bred most likely to be perfect in virtue?

Alc.: Certainly.

Soc.: Then let us compare our antecedents with those of the Lacedaemonian and Persian kings; are they inferior to us in descent? Have we not heard that the former are sprung from Heracles, and the latter from Achaemenes, and that the race of Heracles and the race of Achaemenes go back to Perseus, son of Zeus?

Alc.: Why, so does mine go back to Eurysaces, and he to Zeus!

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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