ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 47

Soc.: Then we were not altogether right in acknowledging just now that a man may know what belongs to him and yet not know himself; nay, rather he cannot even know the belongings of his belongings; for the discernment of the things of self, and of the things which belong to the things of self, appear all to be the business of the same man, and of the same art.

Alc.: So much may be supposed.

Soc.: And he who knows not the things which belong to himself, will in like manner be ignorant of the things which belong to others?

Alc.: Very true.

Soc.: And if he knows not the affairs of others, he will not know the affairs of states?

Alc.: Certainly not.

Soc.: Then such a man can never be a statesman?

Alc.: He cannot.

Soc.: Nor an economist?

Alc.: He cannot.

Soc.: He will not know what he is doing?

Alc.: He will not.

Soc.: And will not he who is ignorant fall into error?

Alc.: Assuredly.

Soc.: And if he falls into error will he not fail both in his public and private capacity?

Alc.: Yes, indeed.

Soc.: And failing, will he not be miserable?

Alc.: Very.

Soc.: And what will become of those for whom he is acting?

Alc.: They will be miserable also.

Soc.: Then he who is not wise and good cannot be happy?

Alc.: He cannot.

Soc.: The bad, then, are miserable?

Alc.: Yes, very.

Soc.: And if so, not he who has riches, but he who has wisdom, is delivered from his misery?

Alc.: Clearly.

Soc.: Cities, then, if they are to be happy, do not want walls, or triremes, or docks, or numbers, or size, Alcibiades, without virtue? (Compare Arist. Pol.)

Alc.: Indeed they do not.

Soc.: And you must give the citizens virtue, if you mean to administer their affairs rightly or nobly?

Alc.: Certainly.

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Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

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