Of course it is.
Soc.And in well-governed states virtue is most highly honored.
Hipp.Certainly.
Soc.And you know best of all men how to transmit that to another.
Hipp.Much best, Socrates.
Soc.Well, he who knows best how to transmit horsemanship would be most honored in Thessaly of all parts of Greece and would receive most money—and anywhere else where horsemanship is a serious interest, would he not?
Hipp.Very likely.
Soc.Then will not he who is able to transmit the doctrines that are of most value for the acquisition of virtue be most highly honored in Lacedaemon and make most money, if he so wishes, and in any other of the Greek states that is well governed? But do you, my friend, think he will fare better in Sicily and at Inycus? Are we to believe that, Hippias? For if you tell us to do so, we must believe it.
Hipp.Yes, for it is not the inherited usage of the Lacedaemonians to change their laws or to educate their children differently from what is customary.
Soc.What? For the Lacedaemonians is it the hereditary usage not to act rightly, but to commit errors?
Hipp.I wouldn’t say so, Socrates.
Soc.Would they, then, not act rightly in educating the young men better, but not in educating them worse?
Hipp.Yes, they would; but it is not lawful for them to give them a foreign education; for you may be sure that if anybody had ever received money there in payment for education, I should have received by far the most; they certainly enjoy hearing me and they applaud me; but, as I say, it is not the law.
Soc.But, Hippias, do you say that law is an injury to the state, or a benefit?
Hipp.It is made, I think, with benefit in view, but sometimes, if the law is badly made, it is injurious.
Soc.Well, then, is it not true that those who make the law make it as the greatest good to the state, and that without this it is impossible to enjoy good government?
Hipp.What you say is true.
Soc.Then, when those who make the laws miss the good, they have missed the lawful and the law; or what do you say?
Hipp.Speaking accurately, Socrates, that is true; however, men are not accustomed to think so.
Soc.The men who know, Hippias, or those who do not know?
Hipp.The many.
Soc.Are these, the many, those who know the truth?
Hipp.Certainly not.
Soc.But surely those who know, think that in truth for all men that which is more beneficial is more lawful than that which is less beneficial; or do you not agree?
Hipp.Yes, I agree that they think it is so in truth.
Soc.Well, it actually is as those who know think it is, is it not?
Hipp.Certainly.