108a
108c
108d
Soc.
And so far as is better, too?Alc.
So far.Soc.
And at such time also as is better?Alc.
Certainly.Soc.
But again, when one sings, one has sometimes to accompany the song with harping and stepping?Alc.
Yes, one has.Soc.
And at such time as is better?Alc.
Yes.Soc.
And so far as is better?Alc.
I agree.Soc.
Well now, since you applied the term better to the two cases 108b of harping for accompaniment of a song and close wrestling, what do you call the better in the case of harping, to correspond with what in the case of wrestling I call gymnastic? What do you call the other?Alc.
I do not understand.Soc.
Well, try to copy me: for my answer gave you, I think, what is correct in every instance; and that is correct, I presume, which proceeds by rule of the art, is it not?Alc.
Yes.Soc.
And was not the art here gymnastic?Alc.
To be sure.Soc.
And I said that the better 1 in the case of wrestling was gymnastic.Alc.
You did.Soc.
And I was quite fair?Alc.
I think so.Soc.
Come then, in your turn—for it would befit you also, I fancy, to argue fairly 2 —tell me, first, what is the art which includes harping and singing and treading the measure correctly? What is it called as a whole? You cannot yet tell me?Alc.
No, indeed.Soc.
Well, try another way: who are the goddesses that foster the art?Alc.
The Muses, you mean, Socrates?Soc.
I do. Now, just think, and say by what name the art is called after them.Alc.
Music, 3 I suppose you mean.Soc.
Yes, I do. And what is that which proceeds correctly by its rule? As in the other case I was correct in mentioning to you gymnastic as that which goes by the art, so I ask you, accordingly, what you say in this case. What manner of proceeding is required?Alc.
A musical one, I suppose.Soc.
You are right. Come then, what is it that you term better, in respect of what is better in waging war and being at peace? 108e Just as in our other instances you said that the better implied the more musical and again, in the parallel case, the more gymnastical, try now if you can tell me what is the better in this case.Alc.
But I am quite unable.Alcibiades 1. Plato. Walter Rangeley Maitland Lamb (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1927.
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