Alcibiades 1
Plato (428–347 BC)
Plato's Alcibiades 1 in the Greek text edited by John Burnet.
Section 103
Section 104
Section 105
Section 106
Section 107
Section 108
Section 109
Section 110
Section 111
Section 112
Section 113
Section 114
Section 115
Section 116
Section 117
Section 118
Section 119
Section 120
Section 121
Section 122
Section 123
Section 124
Section 125
Section 126
Section 127
Section 128
Section 129
Section 130
Section 131
[131] Al. That appears to be true.
Soc. He whose knowledge only extends to the body, knows the things of a man, and not the man himself?
Al. That is true.
Soc. Then neither the physician regarded as a physician, nor the trainer regarded as a trainer, knows himself?
Al. He does not.
Soc. The husbandmen and the other craftsmen are very far from knowing themselves, for they would seem not even to know their own belongings? When regarded in relation to the arts which they practise they are even further removed from self-knowledge, for they only know the belongings of the body, which minister to the body.
Al. That is true.
Soc. Then if temperance is the knowledge of self, in respect of his art none of them is temperate?
Al. I agree.
Soc. And this is the reason why their arts are accounted vulgar, and are not such as a good man would practise?
Al. Quite true.
Soc. Again, he who cherishes his body cherishes not himself, but what belongs to him?
Al. That is true.
Soc. But he who cherishes his money, cherishes neither himself nor his belongings, but is in a stage yet further removed from himself?
Al. I agree.
Soc. Then the money-maker has really ceased to be occupied with his own concerns?
Al. True.
Soc. And if any one has fallen in love with the person of Alcibiades, he loves not Alcibiades, but the belongings of Alcibiades?
Al. True.
Soc. But he who loves your soul is the true lover?
Al. That is the necessary inference.
Soc. The lover of the body goes away when the flower of youth fades?
Al. True.
Soc. But he who loves the soul goes not away, as long as the soul follows after virtue?
Al. Yes.
Soc. And I am the lover who goes not away, but remains with you, when you are no longer young and the rest are gone?
Al. Yes, Socrates; and therein you do well, and I hope that you will remain.
Soc. Then you must try to look your best.
Al. I will.
Soc. The fact is, that there is only one lover of Alcibiades the son of Cleinias; there neither is nor ever has been seemingly any other; and he is his darling,—Socrates, the son of Sophroniscus and Phaenarete.
Al. True.
Soc. And did you not say, that if I had not spoken first, you were on the point of coming to me, and enquiring why I only remained?
Al. That is true.