Dialogue

  1 Lache|    opinion; but they suggest that Socrates should be invited to take
  2 Lache|         to the hour of his death. Socrates is also known to Nicias,
  3 Lache|           Delium (compare Symp.).~Socrates, as he is younger than either
  4 Lache|    invidious remarks. And now let Socrates be taken into counsel. As
  5 Lache|       they differ he must decide.~Socrates would rather not decide
  6 Lache|     memory. He earnestly requests Socrates to remain;—in this showing,
  7 Lache|       quite willing to learn from Socrates, because his actions, in
  8 Lache|          correspond to his words.~Socrates proceeds: We might ask who
  9 Lache|        the battle of Plataea. (2) Socrates wants a more general definition,
 10 Lache|       contradiction to be solved? Socrates and Laches are not set ‘
 11 Lache|           which he has heard from Socrates himself, to the effect that (
 12 Lache|          Laches derides this; and Socrates enquires, ‘What sort of
 13 Lache|         sophistries of this sort. Socrates resumes the argument. Courage
 14 Lache|         all the two generals, and Socrates, the hero of Delium, are
 15 Lache|        old and elder men, of whom Socrates is the youngest.~First is
 16 Lache|        never heard of the fame of Socrates, his son; they belong to
 17 Lache|        taught. The recognition of Socrates by Lysimachus is extremely
 18 Lache|        supposed to be a hearer of Socrates; the other is only acquainted
 19 Lache|        delighted with the hits of Socrates; and is disposed to be angry
 20 Lache|           before the dialectic of Socrates; and Nicias appears from
 21 Lache|       terrible in the future. But Socrates denies that the knowledge
 22 Lache|          position which elsewhere Socrates is not unwilling to admit,
 23 Lache|        practised by Laches and by Socrates, and also the manner in
 24 Lache|          both is only realized in Socrates himself.~The Dialogue offers
 25 Lache|         which Laches fell. But if Socrates was more than seventy years
 26 Lache|       Their sons. Nicias, Laches, Socrates.~LYSIMACHUS: You have seen
 27 Lache|        you not consult our friend Socrates about the education of the
 28 Lache|      LYSIMACHUS: Why, Laches, has Socrates ever attended to matters
 29 Lache|          reached my time of life, Socrates and Nicias and Laches, fall
 30 Lache|       home, and often speaking of Socrates in terms of the highest
 31 Lache|         boys, whether this is the Socrates of whom you have often spoken?~
 32 Lache|           I am delighted to hear, Socrates, that you maintain the name
 33 Lache|         which is accorded to you, Socrates, by faithful witnesses and
 34 Lache|        advantageously instructed?~SOCRATES: I will endeavour to advise
 35 Lache|      NICIAS: I have no objection, Socrates; and my opinion is that
 36 Lache|           as I said at first, ask Socrates, and do not let him go until
 37 Lache|           ask this favour of you, Socrates; as is the more necessary
 38 Lache|        our two friends you agree.~SOCRATES: What, Lysimachus, are you
 39 Lache|   majority?~LYSIMACHUS: Why, yes, Socrates; what else am I to do?~SOCRATES:
 40 Lache|   Socrates; what else am I to do?~SOCRATES: And would you do so too,
 41 Lache|     master?~MELESIAS: The latter, Socrates; as would surely be reasonable.~
 42 Lache|       would surely be reasonable.~SOCRATES: His one vote would be worth
 43 Lache|        four?~MELESIAS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And for this reason, as
 44 Lache|    numbers?~MELESIAS: To be sure.~SOCRATES: Must we not then first
 45 Lache|           MELESIAS: That is true.~SOCRATES: Great care, then, is required
 46 Lache|      matter?~MELESIAS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Suppose, as I was just
 47 Lache|           I think that we should.~SOCRATES: But would there not arise
 48 Lache|    MELESIAS: I do not understand.~SOCRATES: Let me try to make my meaning
 49 Lache|          of the art.~NICIAS: Why, Socrates, is not the question whether
 50 Lache|        art of fighting in armour?~SOCRATES: Yes, Nicias; but there
 51 Lache|           NICIAS: About the eyes.~SOCRATES: And when he considers whether
 52 Lache|         the bridle?~NICIAS: True.~SOCRATES: And in a word, when he
 53 Lache|         means?~NICIAS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: And when you call in an
 54 Lache|          view?~NICIAS: Most true.~SOCRATES: And at present we have
 55 Lache|       soul of youth?~NICIAS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And we are enquiring, Which
 56 Lache|       teachers?~LACHES: Well but, Socrates; did you never observe that
 57 Lache|         who have, in some things?~SOCRATES: Yes, Laches, I have observed
 58 Lache|      works.~LACHES: That is true.~SOCRATES: And therefore, Laches and
 59 Lache|       would have you say to them: Socrates avers that he has no knowledge
 60 Lache|           approve of the words of Socrates, my friends; but you, Nicias
 61 Lache|        answer the questions which Socrates asks, if you will: for I
 62 Lache|  objection, suppose that you take Socrates into partnership; and do
 63 Lache|          that you have only known Socrates’ father, and have no acquaintance
 64 Lache|         have no acquaintance with Socrates himself: at least, you can
 65 Lache|          intellectual affinity to Socrates and enters into conversation
 66 Lache|        when he is once entangled, Socrates will not let him go until
 67 Lache|           to be cross-examined by Socrates is neither unusual nor unpleasant;
 68 Lache|         knew all along that where Socrates was, the argument would
 69 Lache|         willing to discourse with Socrates in his own manner; but you
 70 Lache|         hater of discourse. As to Socrates, I have no knowledge of
 71 Lache|           add ‘of the good only.’ Socrates must be willing to allow
 72 Lache|           with me. And therefore, Socrates, I give you notice that
 73 Lache|           difference of our ages.~SOCRATES: I cannot say that either
 74 Lache|        act upon your conclusions.~SOCRATES: Let us, Nicias and Laches,
 75 Lache|       them.~LACHES: That is true, Socrates.~SOCRATES: And are not our
 76 Lache|           That is true, Socrates.~SOCRATES: And are not our two friends,
 77 Lache|         minds?~LACHES: Very true.~SOCRATES: Then must we not first
 78 Lache|         do not think that we can, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Then, Laches,
 79 Lache|      think that we can, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Then, Laches, we may presume
 80 Lache|           of virtue?~LACHES: Yes.~SOCRATES: And that which we know
 81 Lache|          tell?~LACHES: Certainly.~SOCRATES: I would not have us begin,
 82 Lache|     LACHES: Let us do as you say, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Then which of
 83 Lache|          do as you say, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Then which of the parts
 84 Lache|           LACHES: Yes, certainly.~SOCRATES: Then, Laches, suppose that
 85 Lache|          courage.~LACHES: Indeed, Socrates, I see no difficulty in
 86 Lache|         be no mistake about that.~SOCRATES: Very good, Laches; and
 87 Lache|         LACHES: What do you mean, Socrates?~SOCRATES: I will endeavour
 88 Lache|       What do you mean, Socrates?~SOCRATES: I will endeavour to explain;
 89 Lache|       LACHES: Certainly I should.~SOCRATES: And so should I; but what
 90 Lache|    remaining?~LACHES: How flying?~SOCRATES: Why, as the Scythians are
 91 Lache|          or flight.’~LACHES: Yes, Socrates, and there Homer is right:
 92 Lache|            remaining in his rank.~SOCRATES: And yet, Laches, you must
 93 Lache|    Plataea.~LACHES: That is true.~SOCRATES: That was my meaning when
 94 Lache|        Laches?~LACHES: Certainly, Socrates.~SOCRATES: And all these
 95 Lache|      LACHES: Certainly, Socrates.~SOCRATES: And all these are courageous,
 96 Lache|       imagine.~LACHES: Very true.~SOCRATES: Now I was asking about
 97 Lache|            LACHES: Not over well.~SOCRATES: I mean this: As I might
 98 Lache|         them?~LACHES: Quite true.~SOCRATES: And suppose I were to be
 99 Lache|           is that common quality, Socrates, which, in all these uses
100 Lache|           would be quite correct.~SOCRATES: And now, Laches, do you
101 Lache|          which pervades them all.~SOCRATES: But that is what we must
102 Lache|            Most noble, certainly.~SOCRATES: And you would say that
103 Lache|        noble?~LACHES: Very noble.~SOCRATES: But what would you say
104 Lache|        and hurtful?~LACHES: True.~SOCRATES: And is anything noble which
105 Lache|          I ought not to say that, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Then you would
106 Lache|        not to say that, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Then you would not admit
107 Lache|            LACHES: You are right.~SOCRATES: Then, according to you,
108 Lache|         is courage?~LACHES: True.~SOCRATES: But as to the epithet ‘
109 Lache|            LACHES: Assuredly not.~SOCRATES: Or, for example, if a man
110 Lache|           any more than the last.~SOCRATES: Again, take the case of
111 Lache|       should say that the latter, Socrates, was the braver.~SOCRATES:
112 Lache|         Socrates, was the braver.~SOCRATES: But, surely, this is a
113 Lache|      other?~LACHES: That is true.~SOCRATES: Then you would say that
114 Lache|          LACHES: So I should say.~SOCRATES: And he who endures, having
115 Lache|          knowledge?~LACHES: True.~SOCRATES: And he who descends into
116 Lache|           knowledge?~LACHES: Why, Socrates, what else can a man say?~
117 Lache|          what else can a man say?~SOCRATES: Nothing, if that be what
118 Lache|          that is what I do think.~SOCRATES: And yet men who thus run
119 Lache|       them.~LACHES: That is true.~SOCRATES: But foolish boldness and
120 Lache|           us.~LACHES: Quite true.~SOCRATES: Whereas courage was acknowledged
121 Lache|      noble quality.~LACHES: True.~SOCRATES: And now on the contrary
122 Lache|       courage.~LACHES: Very true.~SOCRATES: And are we right in saying
123 Lache|        saying so?~LACHES: Indeed, Socrates, I am sure that we are not
124 Lache|       sure that we are not right.~SOCRATES: Then according to your
125 Lache|        LACHES: That is most true.~SOCRATES: And is this condition of
126 Lache|        LACHES: Quite the reverse.~SOCRATES: Suppose, however, that
127 Lache|       what principle do you mean?~SOCRATES: The principle of endurance.
128 Lache|      LACHES: I am ready to go on, Socrates; and yet I am unused to
129 Lache|          her and tell her nature.~SOCRATES: But, my dear friend, should
130 Lache|     LACHES: Certainly, he should.~SOCRATES: And shall we invite Nicias
131 Lache|       LACHES: I should like that.~SOCRATES: Come then, Nicias, and
132 Lache|     NICIAS: I have been thinking, Socrates, that you and Laches are
133 Lache|         heard from your own lips.~SOCRATES: What is it, Nicias?~NICIAS:
134 Lache|           in which he is unwise.’~SOCRATES: That is certainly true,
135 Lache|         is good, he is also wise.~SOCRATES: Do you hear him, Laches?~
136 Lache|         very well understand him.~SOCRATES: I think that I understand
137 Lache|        What can he possibly mean, Socrates?~SOCRATES: That is a question
138 Lache|          possibly mean, Socrates?~SOCRATES: That is a question which
139 Lache|          of himself.~LACHES: Yes.~SOCRATES: Tell him then, Nicias,
140 Lache|            NICIAS: Certainly not.~SOCRATES: Nor the wisdom which plays
141 Lache|       plays the lyre?~NICIAS: No.~SOCRATES: But what is this knowledge
142 Lache|        question to him very well, Socrates; and I would like him to
143 Lache|          strangely he is talking, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Why do you say
144 Lache|          he is talking, Socrates.~SOCRATES: Why do you say so, Laches?~
145 Lache|        thing, and wisdom another.~SOCRATES: That is just what Nicias
146 Lache|       denies; but he is so silly.~SOCRATES: Suppose that we instruct
147 Lache|          not want to instruct me, Socrates; but having been proved
148 Lache|           whit the more for that.~SOCRATES: What is Laches saying,
149 Lache|    something, but it is not true.~SOCRATES: How so?~NICIAS: Why, because
150 Lache|        him I call the courageous.~SOCRATES: Do you understand his meaning,
151 Lache|          what Nicias would be at, Socrates; for he represents the courageous
152 Lache|           got himself. You and I, Socrates, might have practised a
153 Lache|          of friends such as this?~SOCRATES: I quite agree with you,
154 Lache|     instruct him.~LACHES: Do you, Socrates, if you like, ask him: I
155 Lache|         that I have asked enough.~SOCRATES: I do not see why I should
156 Lache|         of us.~LACHES: Very good.~SOCRATES: Then tell me, Nicias, or
157 Lache|           and fear?~NICIAS: I do.~SOCRATES: And not every man has this
158 Lache|       were saying?~NICIAS: I was.~SOCRATES: Then this is certainly
159 Lache|  courageous.~NICIAS: I think not.~SOCRATES: Clearly not, Nicias; not
160 Lache|         courage.~LACHES: Capital, Socrates; by the gods, that is truly
161 Lache|          actions.~LACHES: Behold, Socrates, how admirably, as he thinks,
162 Lache|          I am a haughty Aexonian.~SOCRATES: Do not answer him, Laches;
163 Lache|           this sort.~LACHES: Yes, Socrates; and the examination of
164 Lache|      chooses to preside over her.~SOCRATES: Yes, my sweet friend, but
165 Lache|        Then examine for yourself, Socrates.~SOCRATES: That is what
166 Lache|           for yourself, Socrates.~SOCRATES: That is what I am going
167 Lache|           you think that I ought.~SOCRATES: Yes, I do; but I must beg
168 Lache|        virtue.~NICIAS: Very true.~SOCRATES: And you yourself said that
169 Lache|        virtue.~NICIAS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Do you agree with me about
170 Lache|          same?~NICIAS: Certainly.~SOCRATES: Well then, so far we are
171 Lache|        that, Laches?~LACHES: Yes, Socrates, entirely.~SOCRATES: That
172 Lache|          Yes, Socrates, entirely.~SOCRATES: That is my view, Nicias;
173 Lache|         with me?~NICIAS: I agree.~SOCRATES: And the knowledge of these
174 Lache|       courage?~NICIAS: Precisely.~SOCRATES: And now let me see whether
175 Lache|      point.~NICIAS: What is that?~SOCRATES: I will tell you. He and
176 Lache|            LACHES: Quite correct.~SOCRATES: And do you, Nicias, also
177 Lache|         past?~NICIAS: Yes, indeed Socrates; that is my opinion.~SOCRATES:
178 Lache|     Socrates; that is my opinion.~SOCRATES: And courage, my friend,
179 Lache|         the hopeful?~NICIAS: Yes.~SOCRATES: And the fearful, and the
180 Lache|       future evils?~NICIAS: True.~SOCRATES: And the same science has
181 Lache|       time?~NICIAS: That is true.~SOCRATES: Then courage is not the
182 Lache|            as I suppose, is true.~SOCRATES: Then the answer which you
183 Lache|       statement?~NICIAS: I agree, Socrates.~SOCRATES: But then, my
184 Lache|        NICIAS: I agree, Socrates.~SOCRATES: But then, my dear friend,
185 Lache|          or men.~NICIAS: I think, Socrates, that there is a great deal
186 Lache|         of truth in what you say.~SOCRATES: But then, Nicias, courage,
187 Lache|         NICIAS: It would seem so.~SOCRATES: But we were saying that
188 Lache|          was what we were saying.~SOCRATES: And that is in contradiction
189 Lache|           appears to be the case.~SOCRATES: Then, Nicias, we have not
190 Lache|           answers which I made to Socrates. I had very great hopes
191 Lache|         at first, they should ask Socrates and not let him off; if
192 Lache|         To that I quite agree, if Socrates is willing to take them
193 Lache|          others. What do you say, Socrates—will you comply? And are
194 Lache|        improvement of the youths?~SOCRATES: Indeed, Lysimachus, I should
195 Lache| LYSIMACHUS: I like your proposal, Socrates; and as I am the oldest,
196 Lache|          end of the conversation.~SOCRATES: I will come to you to-morrow,