ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 32

Soc.: That would be the office of the pilot?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: But, perhaps you mean that they rule over flute - players, who lead the singers and use the services of the dancers?

Alc.: Certainly not.

Soc.: That would be the business of the teacher of the chorus?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: Then what is the meaning of being able to rule over men who use other men?

Alc.: I mean that they rule over men who have common rights of citizenship, and dealings with one another.

Soc.: And what sort of an art is this? Suppose that I ask you again, as I did just now, What art makes men know how to rule over their fellow - sailors,—how would you answer?

Alc.: The art of the pilot.

Soc.: And, if I may recur to another old instance, what art enables them to rule over their fellow - singers?

Alc.: The art of the teacher of the chorus, which you were just now mentioning.

Soc.: And what do you call the art of fellow - citizens?

Alc.: I should say, good counsel, Socrates.

Soc.: And is the art of the pilot evil counsel?

Alc.: No.

Soc.: But good counsel?

Alc.: Yes, that is what I should say,—good counsel, of which the aim is the preservation of the voyagers.

Soc.: True. And what is the aim of that other good counsel of which you speak?

Alc.: The aim is the better order and preservation of the city.

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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