Soc. But tell me of any other Athenian or foreigner, slave or freeman, who is accounted to have become wiser through converse with Pericles; as I can tell you that Pythodorus Footnote 1A friend of Zeno: cf. Plat. Parm. 126. son of Isolochus, and Callias, Footnote 2An Athenian general. son of Calliades, became through that of Zeno Footnote 3Of Elea, in S. Italy; a disciple of Parmenides who criticized the Pythagorean teaching. ; each of them has paid Zeno a hundred minae, Footnote 4About 600-800 pounds, or the total expenses of two or three years at an English University. and has become both wise and distinguished.
Alc. Well, upon my word, I cannot.
Soc. Very good: then what is your intention regarding yourself? Will you remain as you are, or take some trouble?
Alc. We must put our heads together, Socrates. And indeed, as soon as you speak, I take the point and agree. For the men who manage the city’s affairs, apart from a few, do strike me as uneducated.
Soc. Then what does that mean?
Alc. That if they were educated, I suppose anyone who undertook to contend against them would have to get some knowledge and practice first, as he would for a match with athletes: but now, seeing that these men have gone in for politics as amateurs, what need is there for me to practise and have the trouble of learning? For I am sure that my natural powers alone will give me an easy victory over them.
Soc. Ho, ho, my good sir, what a thing to say! How unworthy of your looks and your other advantages!
Alc. What is your meaning now, Socrates? What is the connection?
Soc. I am grieved for you, and for my love.
Alc. Why, pray?
Soc. That you should expect your contest to be with the men we have here.
Alc. Well, but with whom is it to be?
Soc. Is that a worthy question to be asked by a man who considers himself high-spirited?
Alc. How do you mean? Is not my contest with these men?
Soc. Well, suppose you were intending to steer a warship into action, would you be content to be the best hand among the crew at steering or, while regarding this skill as a necessary qualification, would you keep your eye on your actual opponents in the fight, and not, as now, on your fellow-fighters? These, I conceive, you ought so far to surpass that they would not feel fit to be your opponents, but only to be your despised fellow-fighters against the enemy, if you mean really to make your mark with some noble action that will be worthy both of yourself and of the city.
Alc. Why, I do mean to.
Soc. So you think it quite fitting for you to be satisfied if you are better than the soldiers, but neglect to keep your eye on the enemy’s leaders with a view to showing yourself better than they are, or to plan and practise against them!