ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 36

Soc.: And first of all, that we may not peradventure be deceived by appearances, fancying, perhaps, that we are taking care of ourselves when we are not, what is the meaning of a man taking care of himself? and when does he take care? Does he take care of himself when he takes care of what belongs to him?

Alc.: I should think so.

Soc.: When does a man take care of his feet? Does he not take care of them when he takes care of that which belongs to his feet?

Alc.: I do not understand.

Soc.: Let me take the hand as an illustration; does not a ring belong to the finger, and to the finger only?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And the shoe in like manner to the foot?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And when we take care of our shoes, do we not take care of our feet?

Alc.: I do not comprehend, Socrates.

Soc.: But you would admit, Alcibiades, that to take proper care of a thing is a correct expression?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And taking proper care means improving?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And what is the art which improves our shoes?

Alc.: Shoemaking.

Soc.: Then by shoemaking we take care of our shoes?

Alc.: Yes.

Soc.: And do we by shoemaking take care of our feet, or by some other art which improves the feet?

Alc.: By some other art.

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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