ALCIBIADES (I) by Plato - Complete text

Page 9

Soc.: He would not go to war, because it would be unlawful?

Alc.: Neither lawful nor honourable.

Soc.: Then you, too, would address them on principles of justice?

Alc.: Certainly.

Soc.: What, then, is justice but that better, of which I spoke, in going to war or not going to war with those against whom we ought or ought not, and when we ought or ought not to go to war?

Alc.: Clearly.

Soc.: But how is this, friend Alcibiades? Have you forgotten that you do not know this, or have you been to the schoolmaster without my knowledge, and has he taught you to discern the just from the unjust? Who is he? I wish you would tell me, that I may go and learn of him—you shall introduce me.

Alc.: You are mocking, Socrates.

Soc.: No, indeed; I most solemnly declare to you by Zeus, who is the God of our common friendship, and whom I never will forswear, that I am not; tell me, then, who this instructor is, if he exists.

Alc.: But, perhaps, he does not exist; may I not have acquired the knowledge of just and unjust in some other way?

Soc.: Yes; if you have discovered them.

Alc.: But do you not think that I could discover them?

Soc.: I am sure that you might, if you enquired about them.

Alc.: And do you not think that I would enquire?

Soc.: Yes; if you thought that you did not know them.

Alc.: And was there not a time when I did so think?

Soc.: Very good; and can you tell me how long it is since you thought that you did not know the nature of the just and the unjust? What do you say to a year ago? Were you then in a state of conscious ignorance and enquiry? Or did you think that you knew? And please to answer truly, that our discussion may not be in vain.

Alc.: Well, I thought that I knew.

Previous Page / First / Next

Plato : ALCIBIADES (I)

Learned Freeware