Hipp.
Nobody, surely; for in that case my profession would be
287a
worthless and ordinary.
Soc.
That is good, by Hera, Hippias, if we are to worst the fellow. But may I without hindering you imitate him, and when you answer, take exception to what you say, in order that you may give me as much practice as possible? For I am more or less experienced in taking exceptions. So, if it is all the same to you, I wish to take exceptions, that I may learn more vigorously.
Hipp.
Oh yes, take exceptions. For, as I said just now,
287b
the question is no great matter, but I could teach you to answer much harder ones than this, so that nobody in the world could confute you.
Soc.
Oh how good that is! But come, since you tell me to do so, now let me try to play that man’s part, so far as possible, and ask you questions. For if you were to deliver for him this discourse that you mention, the one about beautiful pursuits, when he had heard it, after you had stopped speaking, the very first thing he would ask about would be the beautiful;
287c
for he has that sort of habit, and he would say,
Stranger from
Elis
, is it not by justice that the just are just? So answer, Hippias, as though he were asking the question.
Hipp.
I shall answer that it is by justice.
Soc.
Then this—I mean justice—is something?
Hipp.
Certainly.
Soc.
Then, too, by wisdom the wise are wise and by the good all things are good, are they not?
Hipp.
Of course.
Soc.
And justice, wisdom, and so forth are something; for the just, wise, and so forth would not be such by them, if they were not something.
Hipp.
To be sure, they are something.
Soc.
Then are not all beautiful things beautiful by the beautiful?
Hipp.
Yes, by the beautiful.
Soc.
By the beautiful, which is something?
Hipp.
Yes, for what alternative is there?
Soc.
Tell me, then, stranger, he will say,
what is this, the beautiful?
Hipp.
Well, Socrates, does he who asks this question want to find out anything else than what is beautiful?
Soc.
I do not think that is what he wants to find out,
287e
but what the beautiful is.
Hipp.
And what difference is there between the two?
Soc.
Do you think there is none?
Hipp.
Yes, for there is no difference.
Soc.
Well, surely it is plain that you know best; but still, my good friend, consider; for he asked you, not what is beautiful, but what the beautiful is.
Hipp.
I understand, my good friend, and I will answer and tell him what the beautiful is, and I shall never be confuted. For be assured, Socrates, if I must speak the truth, a beautiful maiden is beautiful.
Hippias Major. Plato. Harold North Fowler (Translator), ed. Walter Rangeley Maitland Lamb. Cambridge, MA. 1926.
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