ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 34

Soc.: But what is the other agreement of which you speak, and about what? what art can give that agreement? And does that which gives it to the state give it also to the individual, so as to make him consistent with himself and with another?

Alc.: I should suppose so.

Soc.: But what is the nature of the agreement?—answer, and faint not.

Alc.: I mean to say that there should be such friendship and agreement as exists between an affectionate father and mother and their son, or between brothers, or between husband and wife.

Soc.: But can a man, Alcibiades, agree with a woman about the spinning of wool, which she understands and he does not?

Alc.: No, truly.

Soc.: Nor has he any need, for spinning is a female accomplishment.

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And would a woman agree with a man about the science of arms, which she has never learned?

Alc.: Certainly not.

Soc.: I suppose that the use of arms would be regarded by you as a male accomplishment?

Alc.: It would.

Soc.: Then, upon your view, women and men have two sorts of knowledge?

Alc.: Certainly.

Soc.: Then in their knowledge there is no agreement of women and men?

Alc.: There is not.

Soc.: Nor can there be friendship, if friendship is agreement?

Alc.: Plainly not.

Soc.: Then women are not loved by men when they do their own work?

Alc.: I suppose not.

Soc.: Nor men by women when they do their own work?

Alc.: No.

Soc.: Nor are states well administered, when individuals do their own work?

Alc.: I should rather think, Socrates, that the reverse is the truth. (Compare Republic.)

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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