Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1886-01-15
[Continucd.l
ALCIBlADES. |.
Persons Of the DialogNe.

ALCIBIADES. cS. socrates; ana FER
iclcs is said not to have got his wisdom
by the light of nature, but to have asso-
ciated with several of the philosophers;
with Pythocleides, for example, and with
AnaXagoras, and now in advanced life
with Damon, having this in view.
SOCRATES. Well, but did you ever
know man wise in anything who was
unable to impart his particular wisdom?
For example, he who taught you letters
was not only wise, but he made you and
any others whom he liked wise.
AL. Yes.
SOC. And you, whom he taught, can
do the same?
AL. True.
Soc. And the same is true of the
harper and the gymnastic master?
AL. Certainly.
Soc. When person is enabled to inn
part his knowledge to another, that sure
ly proves his own understanding of any
matter:
AL. | agree.
Soc. Well, and did Pericles make any
one wise; did he begin at home and
make his sons wise?
Pericles were simpletons, what has that
to do with the matter?
Soc. Well, but did he make your
brother, Cleinias, wise?
t1,o,. l.
no use in talking of him.
Soc. But . Cleinias was a mailman
and his two sons were simpletons, what
reason can be given why he neglects
you and lets you be as you are?
AL. | believe that am to blame for
not attending.
Soc. But did you ever hear of any
other Athenian or foreigner, bond or
free, who is deemed to have grown wiser
in the society of Pericles AS | might
cite PythodOrus, the son of lsOlochus, and
Callias, the son of Callades, who have
grown wiser in the society of Zeno, for
which privilege they have each of them
paid him the sum of II hundred minH to
the increase of their wisdom and name.
AL. | certainly never did hear of any
one.
Soc. Well, and in reference to youl
own case, do you mean to remain as you
are, or will you take pains about your
self?
AL. With your aid, Socrates. will
And, indeed, when | hear you speak the
truth of what you are saying strikes
home to me, and agree with you, fol
our statesmen, all but few, do appear
to be quite uneducated.
Soc What is the inference from this
AL. Why, that if they We're educated
they would be trained athletes, and h
who means to rival them ought to have
knowledge and experience in assailins
them; but now, as they have come t.
politics utterly without any special train
ing. why should have the trouble o
learning and practicing! For | know
well that by the light of nature | shall
get the better of them.
soc. My dear friend, what senti
ment! And how unworthy of your no
BILE form and your high estate!
AL. What makes you say that, Socra
ties?
Soc. am grieved when | think 0
our mutual love.
AL. At what?
Soc. AT your fancying that the con
test on which you are entering is will
people here.
Al. Why, what Others are there?
Soc. Is that question which Il mag
unanimous soul should ask?
, AL. Do you mean to say that the con
test is not with these:
soc. And suppose that you were 90
, ing to steer a ship into action, woul
you only aim at being the best pilot OF
board? Would you not, while acknOwl
: edging that you must attain this degre
of excellence, rather look to your tru
antagonists, and not as you are now dc
3 ing, to your fellows? You ought to b
! so far above these, that, instead of re
4, garding them as rivals, you would rathe
/ not have them serving in the same rank
! with you against the enemy, if you mean
!. to accomplish any noble action reall
5 worthy of yourself and of the State.
!, Al. That would certainly be my ain
| Soc. Great reason, then, have you t
be satisfied, if you are better than tn