HIPPIAS (major) by Plato - Complete text

Page 16

Soc.: Quite right, my friend ; for it would not be appropriate for you to be filled up with such words, you who are so beautifully clad, so beautifully shod, and so famous for your wisdom among all the Greeks ; but for me it doesn't matter if I do associate with the fellow ; so instruct me and for my sake answer him. "For if the wooden one is more appropriate than the golden one," the fellow will say, "would it not be more beautiful, since you agreed, Socrates, that the appropriate is more beautiful than that which is not appropriate?" Shall we not agree, Hippias, that the wooden one is more beautiful than the golden?

Hip.: Do you wish me to tell you, Socrates, what definition of the beautiful will enable you to free yourself from long discussion?

Soc.: Certainly ; but not until after you have told me which of the two ladles I just spoke of I shall reply is appropriate and more beautiful.

Hip.: Well, if you like, reply to him that it is the one made of fig wood.

Soc.: Now, then, say what you were just now going to say. For by this reply, if I say that the beautiful is gold, it seems to me that gold will be shown to be no more beautiful than fig wood; but what do you now, once more, say that the beautiful is?

Hip.: I will tell you; for you seem to me to be seeking to reply that the beautiful is something of such sort that it will never appear ugly anywhere to anybody.

Soc.: Certainly, Hippias; now you understand beautifully.

Hip.: Listen, then ; for, mind you, if anyone has anything to say against this, you may say I know nothing at all.

Soc.: Then for Heaven's sake, speak as quickly as you can.

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Plato : HIPPIAS (major)

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