Dialogue

  1 Euthyf|             Anytus had parted from Socrates with the significant words: ‘
  2 Euthyf|         than to do them good;’ and Socrates was anticipating another
  3 Euthyf|        with him. In the Euthyphro, Socrates is awaiting his trial for
  4 Euthyf|         very matter touching which Socrates is accused. An incident
  5 Euthyf|     discussion.~This Euthyphro and Socrates are represented as meeting
  6 Euthyf|            legal business in hand. Socrates is defendant in a suit for
  7 Euthyf|         brings against his father. Socrates is confident that before
  8 Euthyf|      Cronos, and Cronos to Uranus.~Socrates has a dislike to these tales
  9 Euthyf|         Euthyphro will gladly tell Socrates some more of them. But Socrates
 10 Euthyf|    Socrates some more of them. But Socrates would like first of all
 11 Euthyf|           a murderer. Yes, rejoins Socrates, when they know him to be
 12 Euthyf|        Waiving this last, however, Socrates proposes to amend the definition,
 13 Euthyf|          To this Euthyphro agrees.~Socrates proceeds to analyze the
 14 Euthyf|          Daedalus, the ancestor of Socrates, who has communicated his
 15 Euthyf|            art to his descendants.~Socrates, who is desirous of stimulating
 16 Euthyf|   sacrifices. In other words, says Socrates, piety is ‘a science of
 17 Euthyf|            been already disproved.~Socrates, although weary of the subterfuges
 18 Euthyf|         hurry and cannot stay. And Socrates’ last hope of knowing the
 19 Euthyf|         them have been overthrown, Socrates does not offer any definition
 20 Euthyf|            whose ‘prancing steeds’ Socrates in the Cratylus is carried
 21 Euthyf|         man, and he is friendly to Socrates, whose familiar sign he
 22 Euthyf|        religion in order to injure Socrates; at the same time he is
 23 Euthyf|           notion of religion which Socrates vainly endeavours to elicit
 24 Euthyf|          the Greeks in the time of Socrates, were equally serious in
 25 Euthyf|           are the very tales which Socrates cannot abide; and his dislike
 26 Euthyf|       answer to the question, ‘Why Socrates was put to death,’ suggested
 27 Euthyf|         the course of the argument Socrates remarks that the controversial
 28 Euthyf|            subtleties of dialectic Socrates is working his way into
 29 Euthyf|         part of justice.’ Thus far Socrates has proceeded in placing
 30 Euthyf|            further interrogated by Socrates as to the nature of this ‘
 31 Euthyf|          and asking, and the like. Socrates points out the anthropomorphism
 32 Euthyf|           only; (3) the defence of Socrates.~The subtle connection with
 33 Euthyf|            this little work to aid Socrates at the time of his trial
 34 Euthyf|           PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: Socrates, Euthyphro.~SCENE: The Porch
 35 Euthyf|          have you left the Lyceum, Socrates? and what are you doing
 36 Euthyf|      before the King, like myself?~SOCRATES: Not in a suit, Euthyphro;
 37 Euthyf|         the prosecutor of another.~SOCRATES: Certainly not.~EUTHYPHRO:
 38 Euthyf|          has been prosecuting you?~SOCRATES: Yes.~EUTHYPHRO: And who
 39 Euthyf|          EUTHYPHRO: And who is he?~SOCRATES: A young man who is little
 40 Euthyf|             I do not remember him, Socrates. But what is the charge
 41 Euthyf|       which he brings against you?~SOCRATES: What is the charge? Well,
 42 Euthyf|            may; but I rather fear, Socrates, that the opposite will
 43 Euthyf|        that you corrupt the young?~SOCRATES: He brings a wonderful accusation
 44 Euthyf|           EUTHYPHRO: I understand, Socrates; he means to attack you
 45 Euthyf|           be brave and go at them.~SOCRATES: Their laughter, friend
 46 Euthyf|          their temper in this way.~SOCRATES: I dare say not, for you
 47 Euthyf|        affair will end in nothing, Socrates, and that you will win your
 48 Euthyf|           that I shall win my own.~SOCRATES: And what is your suit,
 49 Euthyf|       EUTHYPHRO: I am the pursuer.~SOCRATES: Of whom?~EUTHYPHRO: You
 50 Euthyf|            me mad when I tell you.~SOCRATES: Why, has the fugitive wings?~
 51 Euthyf|      volatile at his time of life.~SOCRATES: Who is he?~EUTHYPHRO: My
 52 Euthyf|          he?~EUTHYPHRO: My father.~SOCRATES: Your father! my good man?~
 53 Euthyf|          good man?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: And of what is he accused?~
 54 Euthyf|     accused?~EUTHYPHRO: Of murder, Socrates.~SOCRATES: By the powers,
 55 Euthyf|    EUTHYPHRO: Of murder, Socrates.~SOCRATES: By the powers, Euthyphro!
 56 Euthyf|         action.~EUTHYPHRO: Indeed, Socrates, he must.~SOCRATES: I suppose
 57 Euthyf|         Indeed, Socrates, he must.~SOCRATES: I suppose that the man
 58 Euthyf|            EUTHYPHRO: I am amused, Socrates, at your making a distinction
 59 Euthyf|  prosecutes a father. Which shows, Socrates, how little they know what
 60 Euthyf|           about piety and impiety.~SOCRATES: Good heavens, Euthyphro!
 61 Euthyf|           which distinguishes him, Socrates, from other men, is his
 62 Euthyf|            be good for without it?~SOCRATES: Rare friend! I think that
 63 Euthyf|            EUTHYPHRO: Yes, indeed, Socrates; and if he attempts to indict
 64 Euthyf|          to say to him than to me.~SOCRATES: And I, my dear friend,
 65 Euthyf|             EUTHYPHRO: To be sure, Socrates.~SOCRATES: And what is piety,
 66 Euthyf|   EUTHYPHRO: To be sure, Socrates.~SOCRATES: And what is piety, and
 67 Euthyf|            And please to consider, Socrates, what a notable proof I
 68 Euthyf|           and when I am concerned.~SOCRATES: May not this be the reason,
 69 Euthyf|          are true.~EUTHYPHRO: Yes, Socrates; and things more wonderful
 70 Euthyf|         the world is in ignorance.~SOCRATES: And do you really believe
 71 Euthyf|         Euthyphro?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes, Socrates; and, as I was saying, I
 72 Euthyf|       which would quite amaze you.~SOCRATES: I dare say; and you shall
 73 Euthyf|          And what I said was true, Socrates.~SOCRATES: No doubt, Euthyphro;
 74 Euthyf|           said was true, Socrates.~SOCRATES: No doubt, Euthyphro; but
 75 Euthyf|        acts?~EUTHYPHRO: There are.~SOCRATES: Remember that I did not
 76 Euthyf|             EUTHYPHRO: I remember.~SOCRATES: Tell me what is the nature
 77 Euthyf|        will tell you, if you like.~SOCRATES: I should very much like.~
 78 Euthyf|         which is not dear to them.~SOCRATES: Very good, Euthyphro; you
 79 Euthyf|       words.~EUTHYPHRO: Of course.~SOCRATES: Come, then, and let us
 80 Euthyf|           said?~EUTHYPHRO: It was.~SOCRATES: And well said?~EUTHYPHRO:
 81 Euthyf|         well said?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes, Socrates, I thought so; it was certainly
 82 Euthyf|             it was certainly said.~SOCRATES: And further, Euthyphro,
 83 Euthyf|           Yes, that was also said.~SOCRATES: And what sort of difference
 84 Euthyf|            a sum?~EUTHYPHRO: True.~SOCRATES: Or suppose that we differ
 85 Euthyf|   measuring?~EUTHYPHRO: Very true.~SOCRATES: And we end a controversy
 86 Euthyf|             EUTHYPHRO: To be sure.~SOCRATES: But what differences are
 87 Euthyf|            Alcib.)~EUTHYPHRO: Yes, Socrates, the nature of the differences
 88 Euthyf|           is such as you describe.~SOCRATES: And the quarrels of the
 89 Euthyf|     EUTHYPHRO: Certainly they are.~SOCRATES: They have differences of
 90 Euthyf|    EUTHYPHRO: You are quite right.~SOCRATES: Does not every man love
 91 Euthyf|        them?~EUTHYPHRO: Very true.~SOCRATES: But, as you say, people
 92 Euthyf|        them.~EUTHYPHRO: Very true.~SOCRATES: Then the same things are
 93 Euthyf|          to them?~EUTHYPHRO: True.~SOCRATES: And upon this view the
 94 Euthyf|    EUTHYPHRO: So I should suppose.~SOCRATES: Then, my friend, I remark
 95 Euthyf|          EUTHYPHRO: But I believe, Socrates, that all the gods would
 96 Euthyf|  difference of opinion about that.~SOCRATES: Well, but speaking of men,
 97 Euthyf|          say in their own defence.~SOCRATES: But do they admit their
 98 Euthyf|        EUTHYPHRO: No; they do not.~SOCRATES: Then there are some things
 99 Euthyf|          they not?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: Then they do not argue
100 Euthyf|         and when?~EUTHYPHRO: True.~SOCRATES: And the gods are in the
101 Euthyf|           EUTHYPHRO: That is true, Socrates, in the main.~SOCRATES:
102 Euthyf|             Socrates, in the main.~SOCRATES: But they join issue about
103 Euthyf|             EUTHYPHRO: Quite true.~SOCRATES: Well then, my dear friend
104 Euthyf|          very clear indeed to you.~SOCRATES: I understand; you mean
105 Euthyf|             EUTHYPHRO: Yes indeed, Socrates; at least if they will listen
106 Euthyf|            they will listen to me.~SOCRATES: But they will be sure to
107 Euthyf|       impiety?~EUTHYPHRO: Why not, Socrates?~SOCRATES: Why not! certainly,
108 Euthyf|      EUTHYPHRO: Why not, Socrates?~SOCRATES: Why not! certainly, as
109 Euthyf|            they all hate, impious.~SOCRATES: Ought we to enquire into
110 Euthyf|         stand the test of enquiry.~SOCRATES: We shall know better, my
111 Euthyf|           understand your meaning, Socrates.~SOCRATES: I will endeavour
112 Euthyf|            your meaning, Socrates.~SOCRATES: I will endeavour to explain:
113 Euthyf|           think that I understand.~SOCRATES: And is not that which is
114 Euthyf|       loves?~EUTHYPHRO: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Well; and now tell me,
115 Euthyf|            No; that is the reason.~SOCRATES: And the same is true of
116 Euthyf|          is seen?~EUTHYPHRO: True.~SOCRATES: And a thing is not seen
117 Euthyf|         not agree?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: Is not that which is loved
118 Euthyf|         suffering?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: And the same holds as in
119 Euthyf|       state.~EUTHYPHRO: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And what do you say of
120 Euthyf|          the gods?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: Because it is pious or
121 Euthyf|            No, that is the reason.~SOCRATES: It is loved because it
122 Euthyf|          is loved?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: And that which is dear
123 Euthyf|        them?~EUTHYPHRO: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Then that which is dear
124 Euthyf|        EUTHYPHRO: How do you mean, Socrates?~SOCRATES: I mean to say
125 Euthyf|         How do you mean, Socrates?~SOCRATES: I mean to say that the
126 Euthyf|          is loved.~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: But that which is dear
127 Euthyf|          to them.~EUTHYPHRO: True.~SOCRATES: But, friend Euthyphro,
128 Euthyf|   EUTHYPHRO: I really do not know, Socrates, how to express what I mean.
129 Euthyf|       round and walk away from us.~SOCRATES: Your words, Euthyphro,
130 Euthyf|          the move.~EUTHYPHRO: Nay, Socrates, I shall still say that
131 Euthyf|          as far as I am concerned.~SOCRATES: Then I must be a greater
132 Euthyf|  necessarily just?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: And is, then, all which
133 Euthyf|           I do not understand you, Socrates.~SOCRATES: And yet I know
134 Euthyf|          understand you, Socrates.~SOCRATES: And yet I know that you
135 Euthyf|           EUTHYPHRO: By all means.~SOCRATES: I should not say that where
136 Euthyf|        fear.~EUTHYPHRO: Very true.~SOCRATES: But where reverence is,
137 Euthyf|   reputation.~EUTHYPHRO: No doubt.~SOCRATES: Then we are wrong in saying
138 Euthyf|             EUTHYPHRO: Quite well.~SOCRATES: That was the sort of question
139 Euthyf|          that you are quite right.~SOCRATES: Then, if piety is a part
140 Euthyf|     EUTHYPHRO: Yes, I quite agree.~SOCRATES: In like manner, I want
141 Euthyf|      EUTHYPHRO: Piety or holiness, Socrates, appears to me to be that
142 Euthyf|      justice which attends to men.~SOCRATES: That is good, Euthyphro;
143 Euthyf|          so?~EUTHYPHRO: Certainly.~SOCRATES: I should suppose that the
144 Euthyf|            horses?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: Nor is every one qualified
145 Euthyf|         huntsman?~EUTHYPHRO: True.~SOCRATES: And I should also conceive
146 Euthyf|           to dogs?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: As the art of the oxherd
147 Euthyf|        oxen?~EUTHYPHRO: Very true.~SOCRATES: In like manner holiness
148 Euthyf|         Euthyphro?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: And is not attention always
149 Euthyf|         they not?~EUTHYPHRO: True.~SOCRATES: As the dogs are benefited
150 Euthyf|     Certainly, not for their hurt.~SOCRATES: But for their good?~EUTHYPHRO:
151 Euthyf|        good?~EUTHYPHRO: Of course.~SOCRATES: And does piety or holiness,
152 Euthyf|        certainly not what I meant.~SOCRATES: And I, Euthyphro, never
153 Euthyf|      EUTHYPHRO: You do me justice, Socrates; that is not the sort of
154 Euthyf|            attention which I mean.~SOCRATES: Good: but I must still
155 Euthyf|             EUTHYPHRO: It is such, Socrates, as servants show to their
156 Euthyf|    servants show to their masters.~SOCRATES: I understand—a sort of
157 Euthyf|          gods.~EUTHYPHRO: Exactly.~SOCRATES: Medicine is also a sort
158 Euthyf|       health?~EUTHYPHRO: I should.~SOCRATES: Again, there is an art
159 Euthyf|            result?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes, Socrates, with a view to the building
160 Euthyf|            the building of a ship.~SOCRATES: As there is an art which
161 Euthyf|           a house?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes.~SOCRATES: And now tell me, my good
162 Euthyf|             And I speak the truth, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Tell me then,
163 Euthyf|         speak the truth, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Tell me then, oh tell me—
164 Euthyf|          EUTHYPHRO: Many and fair, Socrates, are the works which they
165 Euthyf|           the works which they do.~SOCRATES: Why, my friend, and so
166 Euthyf|        them?~EUTHYPHRO: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Many and fair, too, are
167 Euthyf|         earth?~EUTHYPHRO: Exactly.~SOCRATES: And of the many and fair
168 Euthyf|           I have told you already, Socrates, that to learn all these
169 Euthyf|        their ruin and destruction.~SOCRATES: I think that you could
170 Euthyf| sacrificing?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes, I do.~SOCRATES: And sacrificing is giving
171 Euthyf|          the gods?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Upon this view,
172 Euthyf|          EUTHYPHRO: Yes, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Upon this view, then, piety
173 Euthyf|           understand me capitally, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Yes, my friend;
174 Euthyf|            me capitally, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Yes, my friend; the reason
175 Euthyf|        them?~EUTHYPHRO: Yes, I do.~SOCRATES: Is not the right way of
176 Euthyf|        want?~EUTHYPHRO: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And the right way of giving
177 Euthyf|        want.~EUTHYPHRO: Very true, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Then piety, Euthyphro,
178 Euthyf|    EUTHYPHRO: Very true, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Then piety, Euthyphro,
179 Euthyf|          you may use, if you like.~SOCRATES: But I have no particular
180 Euthyf|     EUTHYPHRO: And do you imagine, Socrates, that any benefit accrues
181 Euthyf|           the gods from our gifts?~SOCRATES: But if not, Euthyphro,
182 Euthyf|         saying, what pleases them?~SOCRATES: Piety, then, is pleasing
183 Euthyf|           nothing could be dearer.~SOCRATES: Then once more the assertion
184 Euthyf|        gods?~EUTHYPHRO: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And when you say this,
185 Euthyf|       EUTHYPHRO: I quite remember.~SOCRATES: And are you not saying
186 Euthyf|          you see?~EUTHYPHRO: True.~SOCRATES: Then either we were wrong
187 Euthyf|           of the two must be true.~SOCRATES: Then we must begin again
188 Euthyf|           EUTHYPHRO: Another time, Socrates; for I am in a hurry, and
189 Euthyf|            hurry, and must go now.~SOCRATES: Alas! my companion, and