, we can't know either our
Goods or our Evils \ for it is not possible that he who knows noc Akibiades, should know that what belongs co Alcihioies, does indeed appertain to him.
Goods or our Evils \ for it is not possible that he who knows noc Akibiades, should know that what belongs co Alcihioies, does indeed appertain to him.
Plato - 1701 - Works - a
not see, that is, to his Soul.
\
Alcib. This,isevident.
Socrat. H e then w h o requires us to k n o w our selves, requiresus. toknowourSouls. ? ;
Alcib. I beiieve it. . ? t
Socrat. HewhoknowshisBodyonly,knowsthat which belongs to him, but does not know himself. Thus a Physician as a Physician, does not know him-j self, -nor 3. Wrestling-Master as a Wrestling-Masters noraHusband-ManasaHusband-Man. Allpersons of these- Professions, and those of the like Nature,
P4 are
? ? 't16* The Virfl Alcibiades ; or,
are so far from knowing themselves, * that they do notknow particularlywhatbelongsto'em-,andtheir Artmakes 'emadheretowhatisyetmoreforreign to'emthanthatwhichproperlybelongsto'em. For they know only those things that appertain to the Body, and by which they cure, and preserve it in health.
Alcib. Allthisisverytrue.
Socrat. Ifthereforeitbea pieceofWisdomto knowone'sself,ThereisnoManofanyof'these Professionswho iswifebyhisArt.
Alcib. IamofthefameMind.
_ Soc. + A n d 'tis for this reason all these Arts appear
vile and sordid, and consequently unworthy of a good Man.
Alcib. Tis very true.
Socrat. WellthentoreturntoourPrinciple,eve ryManthattakescareofhisBody,takescareof that which belongs to him, and not of himself.
Alcib. I grant it.
Socrat. Every M a n that loves Riches, loves neither himself, northatwhichbelongstohim, butlovesa thingwhichisyetmoreforreigntohim, And which only refpeffs that wbich belongs to him,
Alcib. I think so.
T-oiohovr
>>niytohnr affirm, that he who employs his Care to heap up
Socrat. Then accordingtothisprincipleone may
MtTrtifmx Riches, does not manage his Affairs well. istomanage Akib. 'Tismostcertainlyso.
msjqars Socrat. IfanyonehasbeeninlovewiththeBody
of stkibiades, that Person has not been in love with
* Physicians and Masters of Exercise indeed apply themselTcj to know the Body ; but they know it only to a certain degree: For as Jtippocrates fays in his Treatise of the Ancient Art of M e dicine, the\ content themselves with knowing what Man is, with respect to what he tats and drinks, and to the Exercises he per forms: md <<hatmayoccurtohimfrom*nyofthesethings. So thattheyonly! nowsomecertainQualiiesofMatter,butnotthe Essenceofit. 'TismoreejsytoknowtheEflehceof theSoul, than th-t of the Body.
f TheonlyArttrulyworthyofa,goodMan, isthatofknow ing, and kb&unng to pertfctiqnate Himself. *
Alct,
? ? OftheNatureofMan. 117
Alcibiaies\ but with one of those things that apper tain to him.
Alcib. Iam convinc'dofit.
Socrat*ThatPersonwho isinlovewithAlcibiades^ must be one that is in love with his Soul.
Alcib. That'sanecessaryConsequenceofyourPrin ciple.
Socrat. And thisistheReasonthatthatPerson who only loves your Body, retires when the beauty, of this Body begins to decay.
Alcib. 'Tis true.
Socrat. But one that loves your Soul never retires * while you make any progress in Vertue $ aud eve ry day make your self still a better Man.
Alcib. That isvery likely.
Socrat. A n d this likewise is the reason that I a m the only Person that does not leave you, but conti nue constantaftertheflowerofyourBeautyisfaded, and all your Admirers are retir'd.
Alcib. You very much oblige me, Socrates; and I entreat you not to abandon me.
Socrat. Labour then with ailyourMight tobecome B/ btutiftil every day more and more beautiful. *"mtm
Alcib. I'lllabour to become so.
Socrat. As Matters stand with you, 'tiseasy to judg that Akib'iades^ the Son of C/inias, never had nor has yet more than only one true Lover ; and this
wt*"w*
faithfulLover isthetlovelySocrates^theSonof Sophroniscus and fhenareta.
jilcib. 'Tisvery true.
Socrat. ButdidyounottellmewhenImetyou5 that I prevented you but one moment, and that you badadesigntospeakto. me, toknowwhyIwas the only Person that had not left you.
Alcib. I told you so, and 'tis true.
S o c r a t . Y o u n o w k n o w t h e r e a s o n o f i t ? , ' t i s b e -
*SothisPassageoughttobetranslated. ThelacinInterpre ters have made a mistake here, nptremembring "saunas often the Significationofthepresenttime. JH. LtFeyre.
+ He jokes on his own deformity and low Birth, which ha op poses to the Beauty, fine Air, and Nobility of his Rivals.
cause
? ? z 1 8 T h e F i r s t A l c i b i a d e s ,? o r ,
cause I always lov'd you, and others only lov'd what belongstoyou. TheBeautyofthatwhichbelongs to you begins to decay, whereas your own Beauty
M m dt. begins to flourish. And if you don't suffer your formed,that feif t0 be corrupted by the People, and become ldoT. 'm' moredeform'd:I'llnotforsakeyou. aslongasI
live. But I very much fear, since you are so much * in love with the applause of the People, that you'll destroy your selfby this unhappy Dispo sition, as it has been the Lot of a. great many of ourbestAthenians. ForthePeopleoftheMagna-
was<<w<<f nimousEreBheushaveafairoutside. Butweought thefir[l tolookinto'em,andremovethatfaircovering Kingsof whichhides'emfromus. Believemethen,Mi- Athens, biades,andtakethePrecautionsIgiveyou,
Akib. What Precautions>
Socrat. To exercise your self, and be instructed inwhatisnecessarytobeknown beforeyouinter meddle with the Affairs of the Common-wealth ; that you may be always fortifiedwith an Antidote; and that you may not perish in so contagious, and fatal a Conversation.
Akib. Allyousayisverywell,Socrates-,Buten deavour to explain to me, by what means we may be able to take care of our selves.
Socrat. That'sdonealready, forfirstofallm haveprov'dwhatMan is,andthatwithgoodreason; becausewe fear'd, ifthatwere notwell known, we should take care of something quite different from our selves, without perceiving it. W e afterwards a g r e e d t h a t w e o u g h t t o t a k e c a r e o f o u r S o u l s -, t h a t this is the only end w e should propose to cur selves; and that the care of the Body, and of that which ap pertainstoit,asRiches, shouldbelefttoothers.
Alcib. Can any one deny this ?
*HewassoinlovewiththePeople,thatheAidnotceaseto bestow Gifts on 'em, and to presen: 'era with Shows and Plays. Pinturebspeaksota. Distribution of Money, which he made when
hewasveryyoung,andcarriedQuailesinhisBosom.
Somt-
? ? Of the Nature of Man. 2 19
Socrat. H o w can we understand thisTruth * more clearly, and evidently? Forwhen we havesetitin itstrueLight, 'tisverycertain,thatwe ihallknow
our selves perfectly well : Let us then in the N a m e
o f t h e G o d s e n d e a v o u r t o u n d e r s t a n d w e l l t h e P r e c e p t K n o w thy
ofDelpbos,ofwhichwehavealreadyspoken. For/*//, we don't yet well comprehend all its torce.
Alcib. What force ? What do you mean >
Socrat. F m going to communicate to you what I take to be the meaning of that Inscription, and the Preceptitincludes. 'Tishardlypossibletomake you understand itby any other companion than this,
whichistakenfromthesight. Ale. Howdoyoulay? Socrat. ObservewellwhatIlay. IfthisInscrip
tionspoketotheEye, asitspeakstotheMan, and s h o u l d l a y t o it, K n o w t h y s e l f . : w h a t m o u l d w e think it required of it > Should w e not think it re quired it to look upon it self in something in which the Eye might see it self>
Alcib. That'sevident.
Soc. Let us then seek for this thing, in which, as w e behold our selves in it,w e m a y seebo. h it,and our selves. Alcib. We may seeourselvesinaLooking-glass,
and in other Bodies of the like kind. Socrat. Youfayverywell. Isnottherelikewise some little part of the Eye, which has the fame
Effect as a Looking-glass?
Alcib. Yes certainly there is.
Socrat' You have observed then, that as often
as you look into an Eye, you see your own Image, as in a Glass, in that little part which is calfd by a Name which signifies a t Baby, be-
* M. Le Fevre had reason to fay, that e#*f-3*Ve0s ought to be tead for oy<<j;*'raTct, andtl'at it should ;e transited more clearly. Socrates is now going to resume the Proposi ion he had quitted, whichwastoknowrheuniversalEssenceofthingsyandallheis going to fay on this Subject i: incomparably fine.
f There is a taukin the Greek, which I wonder to find left there ; for whar lensehas Hojucpw here, which signifies thetopof a. thing? ftoug'itto be read yjitnv char, is the Apple of the Eye. *>>{>>> p'lpillc, a Poppec or Baby.
cause
? ? xio
Tk FirstAlcibiades;or, cause 'tis the Image of him that looks on it.
Akib. - 'Tis true.
Sccrat. Then an Eye, that it may fee into ano ther Eye, ought to look into this part of it,which is the most beautiful, and which alone has the fa culty of seeing.
Akib. Who doubts it>
Sacra. For if he should fix his Looks on any other part of the Body of Man, or on any other Object, unless it were like this part of the Eye which fees, itwould fee nothing of it self.
Akib. You are in the right.
Socrat. Therefore an Eye that would fee it self, ought to look into another Eye, and into that tsart of the Eye, in which all the Venue of it rendcs, that is, the Sight.
'
Akib. That's certain.
inwhatwe Socrat. My dearAlcibiades,isitnotjustsowith
jhouldlok, the Soul ? Ought it not to look into the Soul to uponour feeitself,andintothat*partoftheSoul,inwhich riV"Zr al*itsVertues, that5st0% Wisdom>ising. ne-
ftiZivili. rated? orelseought ftnot t0behold itselfinlome other thing yet more noble, which this part ot the. Soul in some sort resembles >
Akib. So methinks, Socrates.
Socrat. But can we find any part of the Soul which is more divine than that in which Knowledg and Wiidom reside.
Akib. No certainly.
*ThatisintoourIntellectorUnderstanding. Weought strictlytoremark withwhatWisdom Socrateshereexprefl'shim self. In speaking of the Soul of Man, he acknowledges, that Wisdom is iogenerated in it, that is, that it comes to it from without; foritisnotitsownLight;thisisdcriv'dintoitfrom
God. AndafewLineslower,ashespeaksoftheDivineIntelli gence,hedoesnotchoosetosay,inwhichKnowledgandWisdom areingenerated;butsayshe,inwhichtheyreside, becauseitis Wisdomitself,andtheSourceofWisdom. TheLatinInterpre ters, who did not pry into this Accuracy of Socrttes have spoiled
aHtheb;autyofthesePassagesbytheirTranslations. MoreAtten tion and Fidelity aught to have been used in handling Theological Truths.
Sfcraj.
? ? OftheNatureofMan. 211 Socrat. Tis then in thisSoul, of which oursis? <<*>>*/***?
buttheImage,'tisinthisdivineSoulweoughtto^ "f behold our selves, and to contemplate the whole c<<<w*ww Deity in it, that is to lay God, and Wisdom ; ii'ourftivts we would know our selves perfectly. mil.
Alcib. This seems very probable.
Socrat. To know one'sselfisWildom ,aswe have both agreed.
Alab. 'Tistrue.
Socrat. While we don't know our selves, nor are wise wich this Wisdom ?
, we can't know either our
Goods or our Evils \ for it is not possible that he who knows noc Akibiades, should know that what belongs co Alcihioies, does indeed appertain to him.
Alcib. 'Tis impossible.
Socrat. 'Tis only by knowing our selves that we
come to know that that which belongs to us does in
deedappertaintous. Andifwe knownotwhatbe l o n g s t o u s ? , n e i t h e r s h a l l w e k n o w w h a t h a s r e s e n t
ence to the things that belong to us,
Alcib. I conless. it.
Socrat. We thereforejustnowdidilltoagree,
that there are some Persons, who tho' they don't know themselves, yet know that which belongs to them, withoutknowingthethingsthatappertainto thatwhichbelongstothem. ForthesethreeKnow ledges ; to know one's self, to know that which be longstoone; andtoknowthethingsthatappertain
4tothatwhichbelongstoone, arelink'dtogether, theyaretheActionof thefameMan, andtheEffect of one and the fame Art.
Alcib. 'Tis very likely.
Socrat. Now thatMan thatknowsnotthethings thatbelongtohimself neitherwillknowthosethat belong to others.
AlciB. That's evident.
Socrat. Andifheknowsnotwhatbelongstoothets, neither will he know what belongs to the City.
Alcib. That's a certainConsequence.
Socrat. Therefore such a M a n can never be a good
States
? ? ill
7ke First Alcibiades ; or,
StatesMan;nayhecan'tbesomuchasaGoodMast ertogovern aFamily;whatdo Ifay? Hecan't somuchasgovernhimself;forheknowsnotwhat he does ? , and if he knows not what he does, 'tis impossible he (hould be free from Faults.
Alc'ib. That is impossible indeed.
Socrat. And ifhe commits Faults, does he not do
ill both in private and in publick ? Ifhe does ill, is he not Miserable ? and as he is Miserable, does he not involve those that obey him in his Misfortunes ?
ThWhi Alcib. Whocandenyit>
ta'titlaf- Socrat. Then'tisnotpossiblethathewhoisnei- fy. ther Good nor Wife,, should be Happy.
Alc'ib. No certainly.
Socrat. Then all vicious Persons are Miserable. Alc'ib. I acknowledge it.
Socrat. Then aMan can'tdeliverhimselffrom his
Misery by Riches, but by Wisdom. % Alc'ib. That's certain^
theHtfpU Socrat. Sothat,MyDearAlcibiaies^Citieshave nesofcitiesnonee? eitherofWalls, orShips,orArsenals,or
mfhl" TroopsorGrandeurtomake'emhappy;theonly v<me. thingtheyneedisVertue. Andifyouwouldma
nagetheaffairsoftheCommonwealth welljou must give your Citizens Vertue.
Alcib. This is an evident Truth.
Socrat. ButcanaMan givethatwhichhehasnot? Alcib. Howshouldhe?
Socrat. Thenyououghtfirstofalltoconsiderhow toacquireVertue;andsomusteveryManwhode- firestotakecarenotonlyofhimself, andthethings thatbelongtohim;butalso-oftheCity,andthe things that belong to that.
Alcib. This,isbeyond alldoubt.
Socrat. Therefore you ought not to consider how to acquire for your selfor your City a large extent of Empire and the absolute power of doing what youplease-,butonlyhowtoacquireWisdomand Justice.
Alcib, 1 believe what you say.
Stem*
? ? *OftheNatureofMan. 21j
Socrat. Forifyouandyour. CitygovernyourselvesWe cant wisely afnd justly,:you will please God. fffl G*L
Ale. Iam well convincedofthat. \ %m \nd'*"
Socrat. And you'll govern your selves wisely and Ju'ikt. justly,i? fasIjustnow toldyou, you beholdyourifwewould s e l v e s a l w a y s i n t h e D e i t y -y i n t h a t s p l e n d i d L i g h t , c o n d u i t o u r whichaloneiscapableof givingyoutheknowledgeselv"TMfeb of the Truth. -. - ? w, ]m^\e.
Alcib. This seems very reasonable. hold out Socrat. For while you behold your selves in \\i\sftivtsitGM
Light ^ you will see your selves. $ and will fee and
know your True Goods. ? Alctb, Without doubt. ?
Socrat. AndsoyouwillalwaysdowhatisGood.
Alcib. Most certainly. ? . -? SocIfyoualwaysdowhatisgooJ,Idareanswer? ? ,.
forit,andwarrantyou,youshallbealwayshappy. thtcertain*
Alcib. Your warrant is very good in this cafe, raempenu Socrates. ? ? ; of good
Socrat. But ifyou govern your selves unjustly,Am? KS' .
andinsteadofbeholdingtheDeity, andTrueLightThesethat youlookinto thatwhichiswithoutGodandfulll"e\M,
ofDarkness,youwilldonothingbuttheWorksofn>e D a r k n e s s , a n d s u c h a s a r e f u l l o f I m p i e t y ? , a n d i t c a n ' t t h e w o r ( s o f beotherwise,becauseyouwillnotknowyourself. Darfyef).
A l c i b . I a m o f t h e s a m e m i n d . . '. M ,.
Socrat. My dearAlcibiaies^representtoyourfelf_, '",'f aPerson- that has * a. Powertodoanythinghe^'"? p pleases,andyethasnoJudgment? ,whatistobeex-absolute ' pected from him ? and what Mischief is there that Power,
willnotbefal him> Forexample, suppose asickJjyjjjj Man has power to do whatever comes intohisHead, Wisdom. 1 h a s r i o u n d e r s t a n d i n g i n P h y s i c k -, i s i n a r a g e a g a i n s t everyBody,,sothat:noPetsondaresspeaktohim or restrainhim-,twhat willbetheeventofthis? He
will without' doubt destroy his Body, and render himselfincurable. ";;? ,'"-
* WhenWisdomiswanting, absolutePoweralwaystransports Men beyond the Limits of their Duty, and induces *em to trampfc Religion and Justice under their Feet.
Akib.
? ? a Slave.
Thebaseness ? fvict-
jijc;^ Most certainly.
Stcrat. Then Vice is a vile thing, and suitable to a Slave.
H 4
The First Alcibiades ? or,
Alcib. 'Tis very true.
Socrat. Suppose some Person in a Ship, who has not the Judgment and Skill of a Pilot, should yet have the liberty to do what he thinks fit: You your selffae what must certainly befal him and those that abandon thsmfelves to his Conduct.
Alcib They must all necessarily perish.
Theruheoj Socr. it. ThecaseisthefamewithCities,Repub-
cjnesand \\q&s and allStates; ifdestitute of Vertuetheir
Statesmn'? ? . ?
certain-whin Ruine 1S certain. : ,
Venuedoes Alcib. 'Tisimpossibleitshould. beotherwise. notreignit Socrat. Consequently,mydearAlcibiades, ifyou ''*? would be happy ; your business is not to acquire a
largeextentofEmpireforyourselforyourRepub lics but to acquire Vertue.
Alcib. Very true.
'Titmore Socrat. * And before thisVertue isacquir'd, 'tis advantage- better and more advantageous, I don't lay for a
m Persons'Child,butforaMantoobeyhim,whoisthemost toobeythanVertuous, thantocommand. . 'j
command, Alcib. Iamofthefamemind.
Soc And what isbest isalso most beautiful. Alcib. Without doubt.
Socrat. That which ismost beautiful islikewise
most becoming, and suitable.
-dkib. That's beyond dispute.
Soc. 'Tis then becoming and suitable to a vicious
Avici 's
Person
oughttobe PersontobeaSlave, forthatisbestforhim.
Alcib. So it seems. :
Ti>eNobility Socrat. And Vertue is a noble thing, and suits <</Venue. onivwithafreeMan.
* AfterSocrtttshasconfoundedthePrideofAlcibiades,hegives afinishingstroketolayhimlow, inreducinghimtopronouncethis terribleSentence against himself, that he's only worthy to be a Slave, because he has oo Vertue , since 'tis Vertue alone that makes Men free.
Alcib.
? ? O f the Nature of Mati.
i 2 J
Alcib. That can't be contested. . . , , , -
Socrat. Then this Vilenefs. ought to be avoided, which only suites with Slaves.
Alcib. Most certainly, Socrates.
S o c r a t . W e l l t h e n , m y d e a r A l c i b i a d e s ? , d o y o u n o v ?
perceive in what condition you are ? Are you in this nobleDispositionofMindsobecomingaMan ofyour Birthj. ot; : .
. Alcib. *Ah, Socrates^ Iperceivevery weli, lam in the Condition, you speak of
Socrat. But doyouknow how todeliveryourself but ofthisCondition, which I darenotname, when IspeakofaManofyourmake>
Alcib. Y&Idb. . , . . ,,
Soc.
Alcib. This,isevident.
Socrat. H e then w h o requires us to k n o w our selves, requiresus. toknowourSouls. ? ;
Alcib. I beiieve it. . ? t
Socrat. HewhoknowshisBodyonly,knowsthat which belongs to him, but does not know himself. Thus a Physician as a Physician, does not know him-j self, -nor 3. Wrestling-Master as a Wrestling-Masters noraHusband-ManasaHusband-Man. Allpersons of these- Professions, and those of the like Nature,
P4 are
? ? 't16* The Virfl Alcibiades ; or,
are so far from knowing themselves, * that they do notknow particularlywhatbelongsto'em-,andtheir Artmakes 'emadheretowhatisyetmoreforreign to'emthanthatwhichproperlybelongsto'em. For they know only those things that appertain to the Body, and by which they cure, and preserve it in health.
Alcib. Allthisisverytrue.
Socrat. Ifthereforeitbea pieceofWisdomto knowone'sself,ThereisnoManofanyof'these Professionswho iswifebyhisArt.
Alcib. IamofthefameMind.
_ Soc. + A n d 'tis for this reason all these Arts appear
vile and sordid, and consequently unworthy of a good Man.
Alcib. Tis very true.
Socrat. WellthentoreturntoourPrinciple,eve ryManthattakescareofhisBody,takescareof that which belongs to him, and not of himself.
Alcib. I grant it.
Socrat. Every M a n that loves Riches, loves neither himself, northatwhichbelongstohim, butlovesa thingwhichisyetmoreforreigntohim, And which only refpeffs that wbich belongs to him,
Alcib. I think so.
T-oiohovr
>>niytohnr affirm, that he who employs his Care to heap up
Socrat. Then accordingtothisprincipleone may
MtTrtifmx Riches, does not manage his Affairs well. istomanage Akib. 'Tismostcertainlyso.
msjqars Socrat. IfanyonehasbeeninlovewiththeBody
of stkibiades, that Person has not been in love with
* Physicians and Masters of Exercise indeed apply themselTcj to know the Body ; but they know it only to a certain degree: For as Jtippocrates fays in his Treatise of the Ancient Art of M e dicine, the\ content themselves with knowing what Man is, with respect to what he tats and drinks, and to the Exercises he per forms: md <<hatmayoccurtohimfrom*nyofthesethings. So thattheyonly! nowsomecertainQualiiesofMatter,butnotthe Essenceofit. 'TismoreejsytoknowtheEflehceof theSoul, than th-t of the Body.
f TheonlyArttrulyworthyofa,goodMan, isthatofknow ing, and kb&unng to pertfctiqnate Himself. *
Alct,
? ? OftheNatureofMan. 117
Alcibiaies\ but with one of those things that apper tain to him.
Alcib. Iam convinc'dofit.
Socrat*ThatPersonwho isinlovewithAlcibiades^ must be one that is in love with his Soul.
Alcib. That'sanecessaryConsequenceofyourPrin ciple.
Socrat. And thisistheReasonthatthatPerson who only loves your Body, retires when the beauty, of this Body begins to decay.
Alcib. 'Tis true.
Socrat. But one that loves your Soul never retires * while you make any progress in Vertue $ aud eve ry day make your self still a better Man.
Alcib. That isvery likely.
Socrat. A n d this likewise is the reason that I a m the only Person that does not leave you, but conti nue constantaftertheflowerofyourBeautyisfaded, and all your Admirers are retir'd.
Alcib. You very much oblige me, Socrates; and I entreat you not to abandon me.
Socrat. Labour then with ailyourMight tobecome B/ btutiftil every day more and more beautiful. *"mtm
Alcib. I'lllabour to become so.
Socrat. As Matters stand with you, 'tiseasy to judg that Akib'iades^ the Son of C/inias, never had nor has yet more than only one true Lover ; and this
wt*"w*
faithfulLover isthetlovelySocrates^theSonof Sophroniscus and fhenareta.
jilcib. 'Tisvery true.
Socrat. ButdidyounottellmewhenImetyou5 that I prevented you but one moment, and that you badadesigntospeakto. me, toknowwhyIwas the only Person that had not left you.
Alcib. I told you so, and 'tis true.
S o c r a t . Y o u n o w k n o w t h e r e a s o n o f i t ? , ' t i s b e -
*SothisPassageoughttobetranslated. ThelacinInterpre ters have made a mistake here, nptremembring "saunas often the Significationofthepresenttime. JH. LtFeyre.
+ He jokes on his own deformity and low Birth, which ha op poses to the Beauty, fine Air, and Nobility of his Rivals.
cause
? ? z 1 8 T h e F i r s t A l c i b i a d e s ,? o r ,
cause I always lov'd you, and others only lov'd what belongstoyou. TheBeautyofthatwhichbelongs to you begins to decay, whereas your own Beauty
M m dt. begins to flourish. And if you don't suffer your formed,that feif t0 be corrupted by the People, and become ldoT. 'm' moredeform'd:I'llnotforsakeyou. aslongasI
live. But I very much fear, since you are so much * in love with the applause of the People, that you'll destroy your selfby this unhappy Dispo sition, as it has been the Lot of a. great many of ourbestAthenians. ForthePeopleoftheMagna-
was<<w<<f nimousEreBheushaveafairoutside. Butweought thefir[l tolookinto'em,andremovethatfaircovering Kingsof whichhides'emfromus. Believemethen,Mi- Athens, biades,andtakethePrecautionsIgiveyou,
Akib. What Precautions>
Socrat. To exercise your self, and be instructed inwhatisnecessarytobeknown beforeyouinter meddle with the Affairs of the Common-wealth ; that you may be always fortifiedwith an Antidote; and that you may not perish in so contagious, and fatal a Conversation.
Akib. Allyousayisverywell,Socrates-,Buten deavour to explain to me, by what means we may be able to take care of our selves.
Socrat. That'sdonealready, forfirstofallm haveprov'dwhatMan is,andthatwithgoodreason; becausewe fear'd, ifthatwere notwell known, we should take care of something quite different from our selves, without perceiving it. W e afterwards a g r e e d t h a t w e o u g h t t o t a k e c a r e o f o u r S o u l s -, t h a t this is the only end w e should propose to cur selves; and that the care of the Body, and of that which ap pertainstoit,asRiches, shouldbelefttoothers.
Alcib. Can any one deny this ?
*HewassoinlovewiththePeople,thatheAidnotceaseto bestow Gifts on 'em, and to presen: 'era with Shows and Plays. Pinturebspeaksota. Distribution of Money, which he made when
hewasveryyoung,andcarriedQuailesinhisBosom.
Somt-
? ? Of the Nature of Man. 2 19
Socrat. H o w can we understand thisTruth * more clearly, and evidently? Forwhen we havesetitin itstrueLight, 'tisverycertain,thatwe ihallknow
our selves perfectly well : Let us then in the N a m e
o f t h e G o d s e n d e a v o u r t o u n d e r s t a n d w e l l t h e P r e c e p t K n o w thy
ofDelpbos,ofwhichwehavealreadyspoken. For/*//, we don't yet well comprehend all its torce.
Alcib. What force ? What do you mean >
Socrat. F m going to communicate to you what I take to be the meaning of that Inscription, and the Preceptitincludes. 'Tishardlypossibletomake you understand itby any other companion than this,
whichistakenfromthesight. Ale. Howdoyoulay? Socrat. ObservewellwhatIlay. IfthisInscrip
tionspoketotheEye, asitspeakstotheMan, and s h o u l d l a y t o it, K n o w t h y s e l f . : w h a t m o u l d w e think it required of it > Should w e not think it re quired it to look upon it self in something in which the Eye might see it self>
Alcib. That'sevident.
Soc. Let us then seek for this thing, in which, as w e behold our selves in it,w e m a y seebo. h it,and our selves. Alcib. We may seeourselvesinaLooking-glass,
and in other Bodies of the like kind. Socrat. Youfayverywell. Isnottherelikewise some little part of the Eye, which has the fame
Effect as a Looking-glass?
Alcib. Yes certainly there is.
Socrat' You have observed then, that as often
as you look into an Eye, you see your own Image, as in a Glass, in that little part which is calfd by a Name which signifies a t Baby, be-
* M. Le Fevre had reason to fay, that e#*f-3*Ve0s ought to be tead for oy<<j;*'raTct, andtl'at it should ;e transited more clearly. Socrates is now going to resume the Proposi ion he had quitted, whichwastoknowrheuniversalEssenceofthingsyandallheis going to fay on this Subject i: incomparably fine.
f There is a taukin the Greek, which I wonder to find left there ; for whar lensehas Hojucpw here, which signifies thetopof a. thing? ftoug'itto be read yjitnv char, is the Apple of the Eye. *>>{>>> p'lpillc, a Poppec or Baby.
cause
? ? xio
Tk FirstAlcibiades;or, cause 'tis the Image of him that looks on it.
Akib. - 'Tis true.
Sccrat. Then an Eye, that it may fee into ano ther Eye, ought to look into this part of it,which is the most beautiful, and which alone has the fa culty of seeing.
Akib. Who doubts it>
Sacra. For if he should fix his Looks on any other part of the Body of Man, or on any other Object, unless it were like this part of the Eye which fees, itwould fee nothing of it self.
Akib. You are in the right.
Socrat. Therefore an Eye that would fee it self, ought to look into another Eye, and into that tsart of the Eye, in which all the Venue of it rendcs, that is, the Sight.
'
Akib. That's certain.
inwhatwe Socrat. My dearAlcibiades,isitnotjustsowith
jhouldlok, the Soul ? Ought it not to look into the Soul to uponour feeitself,andintothat*partoftheSoul,inwhich riV"Zr al*itsVertues, that5st0% Wisdom>ising. ne-
ftiZivili. rated? orelseought ftnot t0behold itselfinlome other thing yet more noble, which this part ot the. Soul in some sort resembles >
Akib. So methinks, Socrates.
Socrat. But can we find any part of the Soul which is more divine than that in which Knowledg and Wiidom reside.
Akib. No certainly.
*ThatisintoourIntellectorUnderstanding. Weought strictlytoremark withwhatWisdom Socrateshereexprefl'shim self. In speaking of the Soul of Man, he acknowledges, that Wisdom is iogenerated in it, that is, that it comes to it from without; foritisnotitsownLight;thisisdcriv'dintoitfrom
God. AndafewLineslower,ashespeaksoftheDivineIntelli gence,hedoesnotchoosetosay,inwhichKnowledgandWisdom areingenerated;butsayshe,inwhichtheyreside, becauseitis Wisdomitself,andtheSourceofWisdom. TheLatinInterpre ters, who did not pry into this Accuracy of Socrttes have spoiled
aHtheb;autyofthesePassagesbytheirTranslations. MoreAtten tion and Fidelity aught to have been used in handling Theological Truths.
Sfcraj.
? ? OftheNatureofMan. 211 Socrat. Tis then in thisSoul, of which oursis? <<*>>*/***?
buttheImage,'tisinthisdivineSoulweoughtto^ "f behold our selves, and to contemplate the whole c<<<w*ww Deity in it, that is to lay God, and Wisdom ; ii'ourftivts we would know our selves perfectly. mil.
Alcib. This seems very probable.
Socrat. To know one'sselfisWildom ,aswe have both agreed.
Alab. 'Tistrue.
Socrat. While we don't know our selves, nor are wise wich this Wisdom ?
, we can't know either our
Goods or our Evils \ for it is not possible that he who knows noc Akibiades, should know that what belongs co Alcihioies, does indeed appertain to him.
Alcib. 'Tis impossible.
Socrat. 'Tis only by knowing our selves that we
come to know that that which belongs to us does in
deedappertaintous. Andifwe knownotwhatbe l o n g s t o u s ? , n e i t h e r s h a l l w e k n o w w h a t h a s r e s e n t
ence to the things that belong to us,
Alcib. I conless. it.
Socrat. We thereforejustnowdidilltoagree,
that there are some Persons, who tho' they don't know themselves, yet know that which belongs to them, withoutknowingthethingsthatappertainto thatwhichbelongstothem. ForthesethreeKnow ledges ; to know one's self, to know that which be longstoone; andtoknowthethingsthatappertain
4tothatwhichbelongstoone, arelink'dtogether, theyaretheActionof thefameMan, andtheEffect of one and the fame Art.
Alcib. 'Tis very likely.
Socrat. Now thatMan thatknowsnotthethings thatbelongtohimself neitherwillknowthosethat belong to others.
AlciB. That's evident.
Socrat. Andifheknowsnotwhatbelongstoothets, neither will he know what belongs to the City.
Alcib. That's a certainConsequence.
Socrat. Therefore such a M a n can never be a good
States
? ? ill
7ke First Alcibiades ; or,
StatesMan;nayhecan'tbesomuchasaGoodMast ertogovern aFamily;whatdo Ifay? Hecan't somuchasgovernhimself;forheknowsnotwhat he does ? , and if he knows not what he does, 'tis impossible he (hould be free from Faults.
Alc'ib. That is impossible indeed.
Socrat. And ifhe commits Faults, does he not do
ill both in private and in publick ? Ifhe does ill, is he not Miserable ? and as he is Miserable, does he not involve those that obey him in his Misfortunes ?
ThWhi Alcib. Whocandenyit>
ta'titlaf- Socrat. Then'tisnotpossiblethathewhoisnei- fy. ther Good nor Wife,, should be Happy.
Alc'ib. No certainly.
Socrat. Then all vicious Persons are Miserable. Alc'ib. I acknowledge it.
Socrat. Then aMan can'tdeliverhimselffrom his
Misery by Riches, but by Wisdom. % Alc'ib. That's certain^
theHtfpU Socrat. Sothat,MyDearAlcibiaies^Citieshave nesofcitiesnonee? eitherofWalls, orShips,orArsenals,or
mfhl" TroopsorGrandeurtomake'emhappy;theonly v<me. thingtheyneedisVertue. Andifyouwouldma
nagetheaffairsoftheCommonwealth welljou must give your Citizens Vertue.
Alcib. This is an evident Truth.
Socrat. ButcanaMan givethatwhichhehasnot? Alcib. Howshouldhe?
Socrat. Thenyououghtfirstofalltoconsiderhow toacquireVertue;andsomusteveryManwhode- firestotakecarenotonlyofhimself, andthethings thatbelongtohim;butalso-oftheCity,andthe things that belong to that.
Alcib. This,isbeyond alldoubt.
Socrat. Therefore you ought not to consider how to acquire for your selfor your City a large extent of Empire and the absolute power of doing what youplease-,butonlyhowtoacquireWisdomand Justice.
Alcib, 1 believe what you say.
Stem*
? ? *OftheNatureofMan. 21j
Socrat. Forifyouandyour. CitygovernyourselvesWe cant wisely afnd justly,:you will please God. fffl G*L
Ale. Iam well convincedofthat. \ %m \nd'*"
Socrat. And you'll govern your selves wisely and Ju'ikt. justly,i? fasIjustnow toldyou, you beholdyourifwewould s e l v e s a l w a y s i n t h e D e i t y -y i n t h a t s p l e n d i d L i g h t , c o n d u i t o u r whichaloneiscapableof givingyoutheknowledgeselv"TMfeb of the Truth. -. - ? w, ]m^\e.
Alcib. This seems very reasonable. hold out Socrat. For while you behold your selves in \\i\sftivtsitGM
Light ^ you will see your selves. $ and will fee and
know your True Goods. ? Alctb, Without doubt. ?
Socrat. AndsoyouwillalwaysdowhatisGood.
Alcib. Most certainly. ? . -? SocIfyoualwaysdowhatisgooJ,Idareanswer? ? ,.
forit,andwarrantyou,youshallbealwayshappy. thtcertain*
Alcib. Your warrant is very good in this cafe, raempenu Socrates. ? ? ; of good
Socrat. But ifyou govern your selves unjustly,Am? KS' .
andinsteadofbeholdingtheDeity, andTrueLightThesethat youlookinto thatwhichiswithoutGodandfulll"e\M,
ofDarkness,youwilldonothingbuttheWorksofn>e D a r k n e s s , a n d s u c h a s a r e f u l l o f I m p i e t y ? , a n d i t c a n ' t t h e w o r ( s o f beotherwise,becauseyouwillnotknowyourself. Darfyef).
A l c i b . I a m o f t h e s a m e m i n d . . '. M ,.
Socrat. My dearAlcibiaies^representtoyourfelf_, '",'f aPerson- that has * a. Powertodoanythinghe^'"? p pleases,andyethasnoJudgment? ,whatistobeex-absolute ' pected from him ? and what Mischief is there that Power,
willnotbefal him> Forexample, suppose asickJjyjjjj Man has power to do whatever comes intohisHead, Wisdom. 1 h a s r i o u n d e r s t a n d i n g i n P h y s i c k -, i s i n a r a g e a g a i n s t everyBody,,sothat:noPetsondaresspeaktohim or restrainhim-,twhat willbetheeventofthis? He
will without' doubt destroy his Body, and render himselfincurable. ";;? ,'"-
* WhenWisdomiswanting, absolutePoweralwaystransports Men beyond the Limits of their Duty, and induces *em to trampfc Religion and Justice under their Feet.
Akib.
? ? a Slave.
Thebaseness ? fvict-
jijc;^ Most certainly.
Stcrat. Then Vice is a vile thing, and suitable to a Slave.
H 4
The First Alcibiades ? or,
Alcib. 'Tis very true.
Socrat. Suppose some Person in a Ship, who has not the Judgment and Skill of a Pilot, should yet have the liberty to do what he thinks fit: You your selffae what must certainly befal him and those that abandon thsmfelves to his Conduct.
Alcib They must all necessarily perish.
Theruheoj Socr. it. ThecaseisthefamewithCities,Repub-
cjnesand \\q&s and allStates; ifdestitute of Vertuetheir
Statesmn'? ? . ?
certain-whin Ruine 1S certain. : ,
Venuedoes Alcib. 'Tisimpossibleitshould. beotherwise. notreignit Socrat. Consequently,mydearAlcibiades, ifyou ''*? would be happy ; your business is not to acquire a
largeextentofEmpireforyourselforyourRepub lics but to acquire Vertue.
Alcib. Very true.
'Titmore Socrat. * And before thisVertue isacquir'd, 'tis advantage- better and more advantageous, I don't lay for a
m Persons'Child,butforaMantoobeyhim,whoisthemost toobeythanVertuous, thantocommand. . 'j
command, Alcib. Iamofthefamemind.
Soc And what isbest isalso most beautiful. Alcib. Without doubt.
Socrat. That which ismost beautiful islikewise
most becoming, and suitable.
-dkib. That's beyond dispute.
Soc. 'Tis then becoming and suitable to a vicious
Avici 's
Person
oughttobe PersontobeaSlave, forthatisbestforhim.
Alcib. So it seems. :
Ti>eNobility Socrat. And Vertue is a noble thing, and suits <</Venue. onivwithafreeMan.
* AfterSocrtttshasconfoundedthePrideofAlcibiades,hegives afinishingstroketolayhimlow, inreducinghimtopronouncethis terribleSentence against himself, that he's only worthy to be a Slave, because he has oo Vertue , since 'tis Vertue alone that makes Men free.
Alcib.
? ? O f the Nature of Mati.
i 2 J
Alcib. That can't be contested. . . , , , -
Socrat. Then this Vilenefs. ought to be avoided, which only suites with Slaves.
Alcib. Most certainly, Socrates.
S o c r a t . W e l l t h e n , m y d e a r A l c i b i a d e s ? , d o y o u n o v ?
perceive in what condition you are ? Are you in this nobleDispositionofMindsobecomingaMan ofyour Birthj. ot; : .
. Alcib. *Ah, Socrates^ Iperceivevery weli, lam in the Condition, you speak of
Socrat. But doyouknow how todeliveryourself but ofthisCondition, which I darenotname, when IspeakofaManofyourmake>
Alcib. Y&Idb. . , . . ,,
Soc.
