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Section 126

Alcibiades. To me it does, at least towards the preservation of those sailing.

Socrates. You speak well. What then? The good counsel you speak of, what is it directed towards?

Alcibiades. Towards managing the city better and preserving it.

Socrates. And it is managed better and preserved by the presence or absence of what? Just as if you were to ask me, A body is managed better and preserved by the presence or absence of what? I would say that it is by the presence of health and the absence of disease. Do you not think so too?

Alcibiades. Yes.

Socrates. And if again you asked me, By the presence of what are eyes better? I would likewise say that it is by the presence of sight and the absence of blindness. And ears, with deafness departing and hearing entering, become better and are better cared for.

Alcibiades. Correct.

Socrates. What then? By the presence and absence of what does a city become better and is better cared for and managed?

Alcibiades. It seems to me, Socrates, that it is whenever friendship arises among them towards one another, and hatred and faction depart.

Socrates. By friendship do you mean agreement or disagreement?

Alcibiades. Agreement.

Socrates. Through what art, then, do cities agree concerning numbers?

Alcibiades. Through arithmetic.

Socrates. What about private individuals? Is it not through the same?

Alcibiades. Yes.

Socrates. And each one with himself?

Alcibiades. Yes.

Socrates. Through what art does each agree with himself concerning a span and a cubit, which is larger? Is it not through measuring?

Alcibiades. Of course.

Socrates. And private individuals with one another and cities?

Alcibiades. Yes.

Socrates. What then? Concerning weight, is it not the same way?

Alcibiades. I say it is.

Socrates. But the agreement you speak of, what is it and concerning what, and what art produces it? And is it the same for a city as for a private individual, both with himself and with another?

Alcibiades. It is likely, at any rate.

Socrates. What is it then? Do not grow weary in answering, but be eager to tell.

Alcibiades. I think it means the friendship and agreement which a father has loving his son, and a mother, and brother to brother, and wife to husband.

Socrates. Do you think then, Alcibiades, that a husband can agree with his wife concerning spinning, the one who does not know with the one who knows?

Alcibiades. Certainly not.

Socrates. Nor indeed should he; for this is a woman's learning.

Alcibiades. Yes.