Then in this case also we must first consider, in particular, whether anyone among us has expert skill in the subject of our consultation, or not; and if here is one who has, we must be guided by him, though he be but one, and pass over the rest; while if there is not, we must look for somebody else. Or do you think it a slight matter that you and Lysimachus have now at stake, and not that which is really your greatest possession? For I take it that according as the sons turn out well or the opposite will the whole life of their father’s house be affected, depending for better or worse on their character.
Mel.Truly spoken.
Soc.So it demands much forethought from us.
Mel.Certainly.
Soc.How then—to take the case I suggested just now—should we set to work if we wanted to consider which of us was the most expert in regard to a contest? Should we not pick him who had learnt and practised, and had also had good teachers of this particular skill?
Mel.I think so.
Soc.And even before that, we should ask what was this skill of which we are looking for the teachers?
Mel.How do you mean?
Soc.Perhaps it will be more easily grasped in this form. I think we have not started with an agreement between us as to what the thing is about which we are consulting, in this question of who among us is an expert and to this end has resorted to teachers, and who not.
Nic.Why, Socrates, is it not fighting in armor that we are considering, and whether it is a thing to be learnt by young men or not?
Soc.Of course, Nicias; but when someone considers whether a medicine is to be used as an eyesalve or not, do you think that this consultation is about the medicine or about the eyes?
Nic.About the eyes.
Soc.And when one considers whether a horse is to be bridled or not, and at what time, I presume one takes counsel about the horse, and not about the bridle?
Nic.True.
Soc.And in a word, when one considers a thing for any purpose, the consulting is in fact about the end one had in view to start with, and not about the means to be used for such end.
Nic.Necessarily.
Soc.So we must consider our adviser too, and ask ourselves whether he is a skilled expert in the treatment required for the end which is the subject of our consideration.
Nic.Certainly.
Soc.And we say that our present subject is an accomplishment studied for the sake of young men’s souls?
Nic.Yes.
Soc.So what we have to consider is whether one of us is skilled in treatment of the soul, and is able to treat it rightly, and which of us has had good teachers.
Lach.But I say, Socrates, have you never noticed how some people have become more skilled in certain things without teachers than others with them?
Soc.Yes, I have, Laches; people, that is, whom you would not care to trust on their mere statement that they were good practitioners, unless they could put forward some example of their personal skill—some work well carried out— not in one only, but several cases.