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Section 9

EUTHYPHRO. But I think, Socrates, that regarding this point, none of the gods would disagree: they all believe that anyone who kills a man unjustly ought to be punished.

SOCRATES. Is that so? Have you ever heard any human being arguing that a man who has killed unjustly, or done any other unjust act, ought not to be punished?

EUTHYPHRO. They never stop arguing about these things, especially in the law courts. People commit all sorts of wrongs, and then do and say everything they can to escape punishment.

SOCRATES. Do they admit they have done wrong, Euthyphro, and despite admitting it, still say they should not be punished?

EUTHYPHRO. No, they certainly do not say that.

SOCRATES. Then they do not do and say everything. For I think they do not dare to argue that if they acted unjustly they should not pay the penalty. Instead, they deny they acted unjustly, do they not?

EUTHYPHRO. True.

SOCRATES. Therefore, they do not argue that the unjust man ought not to be punished. Instead, they argue about who is the unjust man, what he did, and when.

EUTHYPHRO. That is true.

SOCRATES. Does the same thing not apply to the gods, if indeed they quarrel about justice and injustice as your argument claims? Some say that others have done wrong, while the others deny it. But surely, my wondrous friend, no one, either god or man, dares to say that the one who acts unjustly ought not to be punished.

EUTHYPHRO. Yes, Socrates, what you say is largely true.

SOCRATES. Rather, it is about specific actions that the disputants dispute, both men and gods, if the gods do dispute. They disagree about a particular action: some say it was done justly, others unjustly. Is this not so?

EUTHYPHRO. Certainly.

SOCRATES. Come now, my dear Euthyphro, teach me, so that I may become wiser. What proof do you have that all the gods think this day-laborer was killed unjustly—the man who killed a slave, was bound by the master of the dead slave, and died because of his bonds before the master learned from the religious adviser what to do? What proof do you have that it is right for a son to prosecute and denounce his father for murder in such a case? Come, try to show me a clear proof that all the gods unquestionably believe this action is right. If you can show me adequately, I will never stop praising your wisdom.