HIPPIAS (major) by Plato - Complete text

Page 26

Soc.: If, then, the beautiful is the cause of good, the good would come into being through the beautiful ; and this is why we are eager for wisdom and all the other beautiful things, because their offspring, the good, is worthy of eagerness, and, from what we are finding, it looks as if the beautiful were a sort of father of the good.

Hip.: Certainly for what you say is well said, Socrates.

Soc.: Then is this well said, too, that the father is not the son, and the son not father?

Hip.: To be sure it is well said.

Soc.: And neither is the cause that which comes into being, nor is that which comes into being the cause.

Hip.: True.

Soc.: By Zeus, my good friend, then neither is the beautiful good, nor the good beautiful ; or does it seem to you possible, after what has been said?

Hip.: No, by Zeus, it does not appear so to me.

Soc.: Does it please us, and should we be willing to say that the beautiful is not good, and the good not beautiful?

Hip.: No, by Zeus, it does not please me at all.

Soc.: Right, by Zeus, Hippias ! And it pleases me least of all the things we have said.

Hip.: Yes, that is likely.

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