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Section 225

SOCRATES. What is the love of gain? What exactly is it, and who are the lovers of gain?

COMRADE. In my opinion, they are those who think it right to make a gain from things of no value.

SOCRATES. Do you mean they do this knowing that the things are of no value, or being ignorant of it? For if they are ignorant, you are calling the lovers of gain foolish.

COMRADE. No, I do not mean they are foolish, but rather crafty and wicked, overpowered by the desire for gain; they know full well that the things from which they dare to make a profit are worth nothing, yet they still dare to love the gain out of shamelessness.

SOCRATES. Do you mean, then, that a lover of gain is someone like a farmer planting a tree, who knows the plant is worthless, but expects to make a profit when it grows up? Is that the sort of person you mean?

COMRADE. The lover of gain, Socrates, thinks he ought to make a profit from everything.

SOCRATES. Do not answer me so recklessly, as if you had suffered some injury, but pay attention and answer me. Do you agree that the lover of gain knows the value of the thing from which he expects to make a profit?

COMRADE. I do.

SOCRATES. Then who is the one who knows the value of plants, and in what season and what soil it is worthwhile to plant them? Let us bring in the experts, just as we would in other matters.

COMRADE. The farmer.

SOCRATES. And by "making a profit," do you mean anything other than getting something more than one has laid out?

COMRADE. That is exactly what I mean.

SOCRATES. Would a farmer, then, knowing that a plant is worthless, and planting it, expect to make a profit?

COMRADE. Certainly not, Socrates.