ThisistheAnswerAmmon gives the Athenians ; he loves the
Benedictions
ofthe Lacedemonians much mire than all theSacrifices of
Prayers, the Greeks.
Prayers, the Greeks.
Plato - 1701 - Works - a
So I think;
Scorat. By thisthenyouplainlysee, thaton some Occasions, and in some Persons whose Minds are dis pos'd after a certain manner, Ignorance is a Good
andnotanEvil,asyoujustnowsuppos'd;
Alcib: I perceive it very well.
Socrat. Ifyouwilltakethepainstoexamine'what
*Atthe*amnowgoingt0^ how"rangesoeveritmay &imetsanatfir^scemt0y? u>irmay**you'llbeofthesame
tfitfsmta- mind with me:
m the Alcib. Well, Socrates, What isit>
f S f Socrati 'Tistrue,. thatpossiblyallthe*Sciences whichis withoutthekhowledgofthatwhichisverygdod,; vtrygood. are
? ? OsV%AtE% '141
areseldomofusetothosethatpossess'em, naymost commonlyarepernicioustd'em. Followmealit tleinyourThoughts,Ientreatyou. ' Whenweare about tofayor doanything^Isitnotaltogether
necessary,eitherthatwe reallyknowwhatwearego ingtodoorfay,oratleastthatwe thinkweknow it?
Alcib. Without doubt.
Socrat. According to this Principle the Orators who everyDay advisethe People, givethem advice aboutwhattheyknow, oratleastthinktheyknow; Some give'emcounselaboutPeaceandWar, others about the Walls that ought to be built:, about the Fortifications, Gates, andArsenals. Inaword, all, that the City does for it self, or against another City, is not done but by the advice of Orators.
Alcib Tis true;
? Socrat\ Observe well what follows \ and fee if I
canfinishmyproof: Don't youdividethePeople intowiseMen and Fools? Alcib. Yes.
Socrat. Don't you call the greatest number Fools, and the leastwifeMen ? Alcib, Yes
Socrat. Is it not with reference to something that youcall'emso?
Alcib. Most certaintyj
Socrat. DoyouthencallhimawiseManwhocan give this Counsel without knowing what is best, or inwhattimeitisbest> -
Alcib. No certainly.
Socrat. Nordoyoucallhimwise,whocanmake War, but knows not when nor hoyv, nor how long 'tis best so to do.
Alcib. No, not I.
Socrat. NeitherdoyoucallthoseMagistrateswife, whoknowhowtoputtodeath,tofine,andtoba nish ; and yet know not when or on what Occasi ons these punishments are best and most just.
Alcib. No indeed.
Socrdt. Wellthe'n,whenanyoneknowswellhow to do all these things, and these Sciences are acconv panied with the knowledge of that which is very
R good*
? ? i^i
The Second Alcibiades $ or,
good (andthisisthelamewiththeknowledge of that which isvery useful, as you have granted) we call this M a n wile, and fay he is very capable to ad viseand conduct himself, and govern the Common wealth. Andwelaydirectlythecontraryofhim whodoesnotadd theknowledgeofthatwhichis
good to theseSciences.
Htiiieins Alcib. Thismultbegranted.
*hf"Vh Soir'WhenaManknowshowtomountaHorse,
skUUUthtt0^rawaB? w>t0Wrestle,inawordtoperforma- A r t a. m m n y o f t h e l i k e E x e r c i s e s -, o r i s w e l l i n s t r u c t e d ' i n a -
frojifsu ny other Art, how do you call him, when he *otfuficmt jjnows perfectly well what is most conformable to
ZmTof 7 wistmm.
the Art he Presses? Don tyou callhim a Qiieny that employs himself in managing of Horses, him Wrestler that makes ithis businesstoWrestle, and him a Musician who understands Mustek, and sooftherest? Don'tyougive'emallsuchNames as are deriv'd from their Art, and are suitable to it> or do you give them other Appellations ?
Alcib. We give'emonlyliichNamesasaretaken from their Art.
Socrat. Do youthink'tisofabsolutenecessitythat he who well understands the Art of which he makes Profession, should also be a wise M a n ^ or shall w e lay he may befarfrom thatCharacter ?
Alcib. He may be very farfrom itSocrates.
Socrat. * What will you say of a Republick com-
5os'd of Wrestlers, Pipers, Archers, and other liich
dnd ofPeoplemingledwithsuchPersons aswe have
)eenspeakingof^someofwhomknowhowromake War, others to condemn to Death ? ,and with those
States-Men, who are bloated with pride on the Account of their pretended Capacity in Politicks > Supposing all these People to have knowledge of whatisverygood, andthatthereisbutonesingle
* ThisisasubtileSatyr againsttheRepublickoftheAthenians, in v hich allArts and Sciences w ere seen to flourish, but the know- ledg of what isvery good w as not to be found there ; and there
forenothingbutConfusionand Disorderwastobeseenamong'en. Man
? ? ,> Of Q%ArE% . i4j
Man among'emallwhoknowseitheroftwhatOc casion or with w h o m each of these different Arts ought to be used >
Alcib. I should fay, Socrates, that would be a ve ry ill-compos'd Commonwealth.
Socrat. Much more would you fay so, when you . saw every one full of Ambition, and striving to en gross the greatest part of Affairs to himselfh that he might stillexceed himself, and become eveiy Dav
more powerful in that part of the Government which is the most Noble h and if you should at the fame timefeeeveryonemaking horribleMistakesagainst the knowledge of what is very good, both on his own accountandthatoftheCommonwealth;because
he conducts himself by Opinion without Understand ing. ThisbeingtheStateofthecafe,shouldwenot have great Reason to fay that such a Republics can't
choose but be full of Disorder and Injustice ? Alcib. This is manifestly true.
Socra. Have we not agreed that it is absolutely
necessaryforuseithertobelievewe know,orelserea- . lytoknowwhatweareabouttodoorfaywithouta-
ny farther Deliberation >
Alcib. That has been agreed between us.
SocraL*Havewenotlikewiseacknowledged, that whenanyMan doesthatwhichheknows, orthinks he knows ? , provided he possesses the knowledge of
that which is very good, great advantage hence ac crues both to himself and to the State.
Alcib. Who candoubtthat?
Socrat. And thatwhen 'tisotherwise, thecontra ry ensues.
Alcib. That'sevident.
Sue. D o you still persist in the fame Sentiments ? Alcib. I do.
Socrat. Have you notsaid, thatthegreatestnum
beristhatofFools,andthatofwiseMen theleast> Alcib. Yes, and I fay the fame still.
* The kno'wledg of thac which is very good conducts and directs usnotonlyinthethingsweknow, butalsointhoseweknownot.
R 2 Socrat.
? ? 144
T k Second Alcibiades $ or,
.
Socriit. Did we not Upon this fay, that the great est number keep at a distance from that which is good, becausetheyusuallyabandonthemselvestoO- pinion withoutllnderstanding.
Alcib. Yes, sowe said.
Socnrt. Then 'tis useful for this great number to know nothing, and to believe they know nothing, be cause what they know, or believe they know they willbewillingtoputinExecution, and insodo
ing,insteadofgaininganyadvantage, theywillre ceive great prejudice. Alcib. You say true.
Soc. By this then you fee very well, that I had reason When I told you just now, that possibly all Sciences, without the knowledge of what is very food, wereseldomusefultothosethatpossess'd'em,
ut were most commonly very pernicious to 'em. Were you not then sensible of this Truth ?
Alcib. I Was not then sensible of it, Socrates, but now1am.
Sqcrat. ThenaCitywhichwouldbewellgovern'd
andaSoulthatwouldlivewellappliesitlelfonly t o t h i s S c i e n c e ? , a s a S i c k M a n c o m m i t s h i m s e l f
to his Physician ^ and as a Sailer, that would ar rivesaleathisPort,obeyshisPilot. *Without this the greaterFortune, Men orStatesenjoy, the
* Thi? is ore of the mest difficult places in Vlttoy Mtrsilitu Ficinvs, and be Srrwhave translated it very ill, and have rather obscur'dthaninterpretedi\ HoweverFicinmsuspectedthatit wascorrupted,thohecou'dnotcorrectit. Iamofopinionthat weshouldredpu>for/jut,andjaefory6. Butthatisnotall,the
principal Fault in the Text consists in the W o r d ? &? $( which makes a very ilSense, we must iheresorc necessarily read iii)$u and take
awaythePoint. Phto'sSenseis,thatwithouttheknovvledgof whatisverygood, thegreaterFortuneaSouloraCityenjoys,the greater Crimes will they commit to satiate their Passions. The ConuptioncamefromtheWord-JWewhichis3or4. Lineshigher. ButPlatospeaksromoreoftheSoulthanhedoesoftheCity,and consequentlycouldnotrepeat4uj? f. Hecertainlywrotem'^K,
andthismorseofSpeechsTHfin-riiitrJytiisveryelegant, qui magii jortitna atfiavtrit, properly, the more Fortune blows on thtir
Poop. TheBeautyo-thisPrinciple,andtheTruthwhichitcon<< tains, p. ove the necessity of lesloring the Sense arter this manner}
The preatei Fortune wieked Men have, the greater Sins do they
commit. _ _ . * great-
? ? Os V^ATE^. 245 greater Crimes will they commit, either to acquireTht*in
Riches, or to augment their Power, or satiate t h d r ^ " ' * ^
Passions. HethatpossessesalltheArtsandScien-? utir
ces, and is destitute of this, will be driven about and cnmts thtj
toss'd by each of them, and be really batter'd with "*"**'> V
a furious Tempest ; and having neither Helm nor J j ? ^
Pilot, 'tisimpossibleheshouldgoveryfar,andhisj^owiidg
ruinemustneedsbenear. MethinkswhatthePoetofwhatit speaksofonewhomhewoulddispraisemaybeap,w? iood-
pliedtohim. *Heknew(sayshe)manythings,bu( knew ''emallamiss.
jilcib. How can one make suih an applicati-, on as this, Socrates? for m y part, I don't think. there isanyJustnessinit. ',. ",. . . ,
Socrat. O n the contrary I fay there is a great deal
ofJustnessinit. Formy dearAlcibiades,'tisa fortofEnigma. HomerandtheotherPoetsarefuli*u? ? &
of'em. ForallPoesieisnaturallyenigmatick,andf-J"**'* 'tis not given to every M a n to penetrate those Obscu- l -
ritiesj and ifbesidesitsbeing Enigmatick, itbe hand ledby enviousPoets, who insteadofdiscoveringtheir W i s d o m to us, only seek to hide itfrom us ; 'tis then almost impossible tb found their Thoughts, But
you'll never accuse Homer that most Wise, and Di vine Poet of being ignorant that 'tis impassible to. , k n o w a m i s s w h a t o n e k n o w s ? , ' t i s h e t h a t f a y s o f
Margites, that t he knew many things but knew 'em all amiss, and he speaks enigmatically, for he puts [ h e k n e w ~ ] f o r h i s h s a n t i n g a n d [ a m i s s ] f o r u n h a p p y -y which terms could not well enter into the Compo sition of his Verse ? ,but what he certainly meant by
* Or thus, To a greatSum hisKnowleJg did amount, B u t all h e k n e w t u r n ' d t o a n il l A c c o u n t .
t Homtr made a Poem against one Margites, who knew much, andyetspenthisLifeinIdlenessandDebjuchery, acertainsign, thathedidnotpossesstheknowledgofwhatisverygood. This Poem which was made up of a mixture of Herojjck and lamhick Verses islost: In which Ho>>)ir turn'd the pungent Railleriesof those Satyrical Pieces which were in vogue liefore him into pleafanc Stories and Jests; and by this means was the fitft that gave us any strokesofComedy:Secthea^ChapterofA-iJtotltoftheArtof; Poetry.
R3 it,
? ? good.
jfcfafc s0 jthink:, Socrates, I(hould scarceyield
to the most evident Truths, if I should not grant that. Stfcrat. Youhavereason. But,Alcibiad. es,Ien treatyou,letusassureourselvesoftheTruth. You
feehow manyDoubtsandUncertaintiespresentthem selves. You have your share of 'em, for you go sometimes toTherightandsometimestotheleft. That which seems true to you this Minute you re ceiveassuch-,andtheverynextMoment 5tisquite' anotherthinginyourOpinion. Letusendeavourto knowwheretosix. AndasIhavealreadysaid,if theG6d towhom youaregoingtopray^Mould sud denly appear to you, and should ask you before you have begun your Prayers, if you would be satisfied that he lhould graet you some one of those things W e first spoke of-, or rather supposing he should per mit you to make your requestv which would you think most safe and most advantageous to you, whether to receive what he should give you, or to Obtain what you shouldask ofhim >
Alcib. I solemnlyjprotefc Sdcrates, Iknow not howtoansweryou:Fornotningseemstome tobe more foolish, and more to be avoided with the great estCare, thantoruntherisqueofaskingrealEvils of God, while one thinks one is asking true Goods ofhim, andthereby to exposeone'sselr^ asyOuhave verywell said,to retractthe nextmoment, andmake new Requestsquitecontrarytotheformer. .
Socrat. IsitnotforthisReasonthatthatAhci^it
Poet I was speaking of in the beginning of our t)i? c o u r s e ? , a n d w h o u n d e r s t o o d t h e s e t h i n g s b e t t e r t h a n
we, wouldhaveusendourPrayerswiththeseWords, Andkeepevilthingsfrom us, evenwhen we. askV/>> cftheet
i^6 7heSecondMcibhdts] ot,
'AllihtSd-it, isthatMarginshadagreatdealofLearningand mctsan Knowledge,andthatthiswasanunhappyorunfbr-
withoutthetunateknowledgetohim. Ifthisknowledgewas
knoTxhdge unfortunate to him he must needs have been a poor ofwhatifMan, ifwewilladheretowhathasbeenlaid.
Alcib. So I suppose.
Socrat.
? ? of v^ayegl: 247
Socrat. In like manner the Lacedemonians, whe thertheyimitatethisPoet, orhaveofthemselves found out this Truth, make both in publick and pri
vateaPrayermuchlikeit. FortheydesiretheGodsThePrqir togive 'em that which isComely with that which istftheLact~^. Good. Theywereneverheardtomakeanyotheritm^Mt-
P r a y e r ? , a n d y e t t h e y a r e a s h a p p y a s a n y P e o p l e i n
t h e W o r l d ? , a n d i f t h e y h a v e i b m e t i m e s s e e n a n I n
terruption in the Course of their Successes ; how evernonecan'justlyblame theirPrayer. For theGejKfni
Gods are free, and it depends on their Will, whe-^*rj^r ther they will grant what isdesir'd of 'em, or give ornjetiout
whatiscontrarytoit. And onthisoccasionI'lltellpqirs you another Story, which I have often heard related wboutbt- bysomeantientPeople. TheAtheniansbeingen-%ng"*'""'
gag'dformerlyinaWar withtheLacedemonians,
it happen'd that they were always beat in every Bat
tle that was fought : Being deeply concernd atthis ?
Misfortune, and seeking Means to divert these M i seriesthatimpended, atlastafterdiversConiiiltati- ons they thought it the best Expedient to fend to the Oracle of Ammon, to enquire of him the Reason of theirMisfortunes, and to pray him to tell'em why the Gods granted Victory rather to the Lacedemoni ans, than to the Athenians, who every day offet'd 'emagreatNumberofchoicerSacrifices, whoen riched their Temples with nobler Offerings, who annually made more magnificent, and more devout Processions in their Honour, and in a word who themselves alone were at greater Expence in their Worship than all the rest of the Greeks together. Whereas (said they) the Lacedemonians have no. , regard to these Ceremonies, they are so covetous in reference to the Gods, that they offer them muti lated Victims, and are at much less charge in eve rythingthatconcernsReligionthan theAthenians,
thotheyinfinitelyexceed'eminRiches. Afterthey had thus presented their Reasons, they ask'd how those Miseries that press'd their City might be di verted. The Prophet gave 'em no,immediate an-
R 4 sweji
? ? 148
The Second Alcibiades ,? or,
swer, for doubtless the God would not permit him togiveany. Butaftersometime,recallingtheAm- ballador,hetoldhm.
ThisistheAnswerAmmon gives the Athenians ; he loves the Benedictions ofthe Lacedemonians much mire than all theSacrifices of
Prayers, the Greeks. This was all he said. By the bene-
pedictwris. & & w m ? f tne Lacedemonians, I suppose, he only R \'meanttheirPrayers,whichinde. daremoreperfect
thanthoseofanyotherPeople. Foraslortherest
ofthe Greeks,iome of 'em indeed offer'd Bulls with
gilded Horns, and others consecrated rich Oblations
to the Gods ; Lut at the fame time requested intheir
Prayers whatever their Passions suggested, without
informing themselves, whether whac they ask'd was
GoodorEvil. ButtheGods,whoheartheirBlas
phemies, aienot pleas'd with those magnificent Pro
cessions, nor do rhey accept theircostly Sacrifices. ? Therefore nothing requires so much Precaution and
Attention as Prayer; to know what we ought to
Jay,andwhatnot. You'llfindmanyotherrhings
in Homer, which amount to the lame thing wirh
theStoryIhavebeentellingyou. Forhefays,rhe
Trojans,whentheybuiltaFort, offer'dwholeHe-
catombes to the Immortal Gods, that theWinds carried
a pleasant Odour from Earth toHeaven, andyet that the Gods refusedtoaccept allthis, butresetted;it,be
causetheyhadanAversionforthesacred Cityof Troy,forPriamus, andallhisPeople. Sothatit
was to no purpose for 'em to osier Sacrifices, and make Prefenrs to the Gods that hated 'em ? , for the
nbtlot" ^eity'snott0L>ecorruptedbyBribes,likeacove- rHptedby tousUsurer. AndweshouldbeFocls,ifweshould Qribu. pretendbythismeanstorenderourselvesmorea-
greabletotheGodsthantheLacedemonians. For it would be a very horrible and most unworthy thing fjbr rhe Gods to have more regard to our Gifts and Sacrifices, than to our Souls, in distinguishing those thataretrulyholyandrighteous. Buttheyhavere gard only to our Souls, ai/d not at all to our Proces sions, or Sacrifices, upon which the most profligate
Per-
? ? Of V$,ArE<! {. 149
Persons, and those Cities whose Sins both againstGodonly<<- God and Man, ariseto thegreatestheighr, common egristj
]yvaluethemielvesmorethangoodMen. Nor&othtq! tbat the Gods ever sufferthemielves to be biass'dby Pre-ofersacri- sents,butdespiseallthosethingsastheGod hiin-if"to#*>>> self, and his Prophet have assur'd us.
Sothatitieemsplainthatnothingissopreci- '
ous as Wisdom and Justice bothinthe fightofGods intvbat andMen. And nonearetrulyjust and trulywifetmjuffia,
but those who both in theirWords and Actions know Zr^"' howtoacquitthemielvesoftheirDutybothtotheel m"""
GodsandtoMen. ThereioteIwouldnowwillingly know what your Sentiments are about whatIhave been saying. . . .
Alcib. Formy part,SocratesIcan'tchoosebut conformmySentimentsinthismattertoyours, and thoseofthatGod ofwhom we havebeenspeaking. W o u l d itbe reasonable for m e to go about to oppose
jny weak Understanding to that of a God, and to con tradict his Oracles >
Socrat. Don'tyourememberyoutoldmeyouwere in great-perplexity;forfearyoushould atunawares pray for? Evil things while you design'd only to ask
for Good?
Alcib. Iremember itvery well, Socrates. Socrat. You fee ? tis not at all safe for you to go
and pray in the Temple, in the Condition you are in, lest the G o d hearing your Blasphemies should re ject your Sacrifices, and to punilh you, should give you what you would not have :I am therefore of the mind that 'tis much better for you tobe silent, for I know you very well. Your Pride, for that's the softest N a m e I can give your Imprudence, your Pride 1 fay, probably will not permit you to use the PrayeroftheLacedemonians. Therefore'tisaltoge- ;, ther necessary you should wait for some Person to teach you how you ought to behave your selfboth towardstheGodsandMen.
Alcib. And when will that time come, Socrates > and w h o is he that will instruct m e ? with what plea sureshouldIlookuponhim ! Socrat.
? ? 250 Tie Second Alcibiades, See.
nakG>>i. Socrat. Hewilldoit,whotakesatrueCareoF you. Butmethinks, aswereadinHomer, that/W/-
nerva dissipated the Mist that cover'd Diomedes his 'I*;God Eyes^an^hinder'dhimfromdistinguishingGodfrom
"iiftpatitbtMan ? >&> ^S necessary he should in the first place Dirf-nefsof scatter the Darkness that covers your Soul, and af- thtMind, terwards give you those remedies that are necessary
; ,, fuiguitr'1
Lovtfor Mtn.
toputyouinaconditionofdiscerningGoodandEvil;
foratpresentyouknownothowtomakeadifference between 'em. i':<'? *
Alcib. Let him scatter then, let him destroy this
Darkness of mine, and whatever else he pleases ; I abandonmy selftohisconduct? ,andam veryready
to obeyallhisCommands, providedImay butBe made better by 'em.
Socrat. Do notdoubtofthat. ForthisGovernour Ite^y? u? ? n35aSingularAffectionforyou.
Alcib. IthinkImustdefermy Sacrificetothattime. Socrat. You have reason, 'tis more safesotodo
than to run so great a Risque. Alcib. WellthenI'lldeferit,Socrates-,andto
express m y Thankfulness for the good counsel you havegivenme,givemeleavetoplaceonyourHead thisCrownwhichIwearonmine. We'llpresent other Crowns to the Gods, and all the Service we o w e ' e m , w h e n I s e e t h a t h a p p y D a y ? , i t w i l l n o t belongbeforeitcome, iftheyplease.
Socrat. IreceivethisFavourwithverygreatplea sure ; and shall always kindly accept whatever comes fromyou. AndasCreon(inEuripides)seeingTire-
Jias approach him with a Crown ofGold, which was
the firstFruits of the Spoils of the Enemy, and with
which the Athenians had honour'd him for his Art, * T l s i n E u - s a i d , Js t a k e t h i s C r o w n w h i c h i s t h e s i g n o f V i f t o r y
HmbJU f? ra&? ? ^Omen;foryoufee,wearealsoinagreat ans. C stormofWar$soImustsayItakethehonourIreceive
atyourhandforahappypresage^forIam inno lessa Tempest than Creon, while Iam endeavouring to gain the Victory over all your Lovers.
? ? The Argument '. "? \\. . \\. '. . ". ,. of
! ? T # E A G E S. I. '. >>
l#? Ancients cited this Dialogue under the
Title <f Wisdom, or that of Philosophy,
iasmay beseeninDiogenesLaerthis:But hew old,soever these Titles are, they were given by Philosophers that were unacquainted with the Design ofSocrates,. who hereproposesonlytotredofthe Education of Children, . which is the Basis and Foun
dationofPhilosophy, AsPlantsdonotthrivewell, unless it be in Ground that is well prepaid, and which has been variously manured,' and also receives the benign Influences of the Heavens ;so Vertices will not grow, unless in a Soul well cultivated, and undertheInfluencesofthedivineFavour: On this good Education, not only the Happiness of Families depends, but also that of Cities, Republicks, and all States ; this is what Socrates endeavours to maintain inthisDialogue. TheyoungPeopleofthebejiFa milies of Athens, dazzled with the Glory of Ciraon,
Themistocles, and Pericles ; and full of vain A m
bition, thought of nothing but of adhering to theSo
phists, who promised to make 'em verygreat Politici
ans^ and toj>ut 'em into a Capacity of governing the
AthenhhsandtheirAllies. TheirParentswere
tinSur'd with thefame Folly : The wisest os 'em were
thosethatsear'dthe Consequences of this Ambition, andonlydiscoveredtheDangerstowhich theirChil
dren tvere exposed by the Corruption of those that in-
ftruffedYouth. SocratesherediscourseswithaFa therandaSonofthisCharaffer. TheSonaimijnly if}
M>>
? ? 3 51
The Argument of Theages. '
t o m a k e h i m s e l f a g o o d T y r a n t -, a n d t h e F a t h e r d o e s n o t blame this Ambition of his Son, provided he avoided theCorruptionthatreignedatthattime. AlltheBu sinessistofindagoodMafter. Socratesmakesan admirable Improvement of'thisDisposition of theirs, toshew, thatoneMan canneverteachanothertrue
Wisdom, which alone makes M e n govern well ; but that tbespecial favour of God is requisite to this
purpose, withoutwhichallthe EndeavoursofMas ters and Schollars too. ,prove useless ; and this he confirms by Examples. This is the true Subjeftofthk Dialogue, in which we find diverssurprizing Truths whichshallbeexplaind in their place. This Con versation pass'd that year, in which the Athenians were beat at Ephesus by Tisaphernus -, which wat the^thyearofthe<}2dOlympiade, 407yearsbefore thebirthofChrift. Platobeing20yearsofAge,wat then the Disciple of Socrates.
The CharafterofthisDialogue is thefame with that of the two former.
. . -. '. ,? '. ? ? ? ? '. '; ';<? '. . '. '<. -. -? . ? -a. -\. ?
? * ? ? . -i*? . ?
THE-
? ? ':
THE AGES, OR
Of Wisdom.
I
Demodocus, Socrates, Theages.
Demoi. QOcrates, I have a great mind to discourse \j withyoualittleinprivate,ifyouare at leisure ; and ifyou are not, I entreat you to take
a little time for my Sake, unless your Business is very urgent.
Sac Ihavealwaysleisure,andmoretoserveyou than any other Person ; if you have a mind to dis coursewithme, Iam readyforyou.
Dem. Shallwe retireintothePorchoftheTem ple of Jupiter Elutberius ?
Soc. What you please.
{*%ratitht
Dem. * Let us go then, Socrates, Methinksj^J? ljoU
Animals, and evenMan himself are like Plants:asaviour,
Forwewhomanure theEarthknowbyexperiencet>>hinwt* that'tiseasytoprepareallthingsnecessarybeforewe taMA*~
plant\butwhenthatwhichwe haveplantediscomeYbt'EducL up, thecareandpainswe musttakeaboutitisveryth>>of greatandtroublesome. TisthefamewithMen:Toy}. AndIjudgeofothersbymyself. There'smySon;
eversincehehasbeenborn, hisEducationwillnot sufferme torestonemoment, butkeeps me incon tinualfear. Withoutenteringintoanyparticular
* In the Original Dtmodoau speaks like a good honest Cou trey Man, who is wholly taken up with Husbandry: But I don't think it necessary to make roy Translation speak aster that manner.
account
*5i
? ? ij4
THE AGES; or,
account of allthe occasions of Fear Ihave concerning
him, I'll tell you one which has but very lately a$>. p e a r ' d ? , A n d t h a t i s a n A m b i t i o n h e h a s , w h i c h i n
deed is not dishonourable, but is a very nice and
dangerousthing,andmakesmeafraid. He-,would
-fainfalluponthestudyof*Wisdom. Probably
some ofhisCompanions, and some young People of
ourTownwhofrequentAthens, givehimanacconnt
of some Discourses they have heard, which have dis turbed his Brain. For he's so full of Emulation
that he continually torments me with importunate
Intreaties, thatIwould give a piece of Money to
someSophisttoaccomplishhim. *TisnottheCharge
that I fear ^ but I fee thisPassion of his will expose
himtogreatdanger. HithertoIhaverestrainedhim by amusing him with good Words ? > but now that I
supposeIcanbeMasterofhimnolonger; Ithink the best course I can take is to consent to let him take his own course, for fear the Conversation he mayhaveinsecretandwithoutmyknowledgshould corrupthim. ThereforeIamnowcometoAthens toputhimundertheTuitionofsomeSophist-yand 'tisveryhappythatIhavemetyou? ,foryouarethe Person w h o m above all others I should wish to con sultuponthisAffair. IfthereforeyouhaveanyAd vicetogiveme-yIearnestlyintreatitofyou:,and you are too just to refuse me.
Adviceis samd,andthatAdviceisaSacredThing:andifitisSacredin
^oc' But nave y? u not often heard, Det/iodocth;
confeqmntinallotheroccasionsofLife, 'tismuchmorelbinthis; f^! *TM'10 for of all things, on which a M a n can ask advice,
givm: *l>>4t'1'ere isnothing more Divine than that which respects wiithoitgbttheEducationofChildren. Firstthen,letYouand t>i- Iagree, what it is precisely that you desire, and a- Nothingit bout what we aretoconsult, lest I understand one mmdivm tnjng an(j vou another (as it iffay often happen)-,
lelongsto andibattheendofourDiscoursewe bothappear
itJ^friTi *WisdomisaWordthatsignifiesdiversthings,asKnowledg, liono)ce>>-g^ Vestue> Flttfuses-tforthatScieaccwhlchaacheshow
ttogovernStates. "
tidicu-
? ? Of WISDOM. 155
ridiculous to our selves for having talk'd so long without understanding one another.
Dem. You lay right, Socrates,
Soc. I say right, ay certainly And yet I
don't lay so right as I thought, but retract in part ;
foritcomesintomyMind, thatthisyoungMan
may have a desire very different from that which we think he has ? ,which would render us stillmore ri
diculous for consulting about quite another thing thantheObjectofhisWishes. "Tisbesttherefore tobeginwithhim, and ask him what itisthathe desires,
Dem. Yes, certainly, that's the best way.
Soc. But, I pray, what is this fine young Man's Name >
Dem. HisNameisTheages.
Soc. *Whatanexcellent,andiacredNamehave you given him ! Well, then Theages^ you desire to becomewife, andyouurgeyourFathertofindyoua Man, whole Conversation may furnish you with thatWildom, withwhichyouaresomuchinLove?
Tbeag. Yes.
Soc. W h o are those Persons you call wise, are they such as are skillful in what they have leansd, or the ignorant >
The. Such as are skillful.
Scorat. By thisthenyouplainlysee, thaton some Occasions, and in some Persons whose Minds are dis pos'd after a certain manner, Ignorance is a Good
andnotanEvil,asyoujustnowsuppos'd;
Alcib: I perceive it very well.
Socrat. Ifyouwilltakethepainstoexamine'what
*Atthe*amnowgoingt0^ how"rangesoeveritmay &imetsanatfir^scemt0y? u>irmay**you'llbeofthesame
tfitfsmta- mind with me:
m the Alcib. Well, Socrates, What isit>
f S f Socrati 'Tistrue,. thatpossiblyallthe*Sciences whichis withoutthekhowledgofthatwhichisverygdod,; vtrygood. are
? ? OsV%AtE% '141
areseldomofusetothosethatpossess'em, naymost commonlyarepernicioustd'em. Followmealit tleinyourThoughts,Ientreatyou. ' Whenweare about tofayor doanything^Isitnotaltogether
necessary,eitherthatwe reallyknowwhatwearego ingtodoorfay,oratleastthatwe thinkweknow it?
Alcib. Without doubt.
Socrat. According to this Principle the Orators who everyDay advisethe People, givethem advice aboutwhattheyknow, oratleastthinktheyknow; Some give'emcounselaboutPeaceandWar, others about the Walls that ought to be built:, about the Fortifications, Gates, andArsenals. Inaword, all, that the City does for it self, or against another City, is not done but by the advice of Orators.
Alcib Tis true;
? Socrat\ Observe well what follows \ and fee if I
canfinishmyproof: Don't youdividethePeople intowiseMen and Fools? Alcib. Yes.
Socrat. Don't you call the greatest number Fools, and the leastwifeMen ? Alcib, Yes
Socrat. Is it not with reference to something that youcall'emso?
Alcib. Most certaintyj
Socrat. DoyouthencallhimawiseManwhocan give this Counsel without knowing what is best, or inwhattimeitisbest> -
Alcib. No certainly.
Socrat. Nordoyoucallhimwise,whocanmake War, but knows not when nor hoyv, nor how long 'tis best so to do.
Alcib. No, not I.
Socrat. NeitherdoyoucallthoseMagistrateswife, whoknowhowtoputtodeath,tofine,andtoba nish ; and yet know not when or on what Occasi ons these punishments are best and most just.
Alcib. No indeed.
Socrdt. Wellthe'n,whenanyoneknowswellhow to do all these things, and these Sciences are acconv panied with the knowledge of that which is very
R good*
? ? i^i
The Second Alcibiades $ or,
good (andthisisthelamewiththeknowledge of that which isvery useful, as you have granted) we call this M a n wile, and fay he is very capable to ad viseand conduct himself, and govern the Common wealth. Andwelaydirectlythecontraryofhim whodoesnotadd theknowledgeofthatwhichis
good to theseSciences.
Htiiieins Alcib. Thismultbegranted.
*hf"Vh Soir'WhenaManknowshowtomountaHorse,
skUUUthtt0^rawaB? w>t0Wrestle,inawordtoperforma- A r t a. m m n y o f t h e l i k e E x e r c i s e s -, o r i s w e l l i n s t r u c t e d ' i n a -
frojifsu ny other Art, how do you call him, when he *otfuficmt jjnows perfectly well what is most conformable to
ZmTof 7 wistmm.
the Art he Presses? Don tyou callhim a Qiieny that employs himself in managing of Horses, him Wrestler that makes ithis businesstoWrestle, and him a Musician who understands Mustek, and sooftherest? Don'tyougive'emallsuchNames as are deriv'd from their Art, and are suitable to it> or do you give them other Appellations ?
Alcib. We give'emonlyliichNamesasaretaken from their Art.
Socrat. Do youthink'tisofabsolutenecessitythat he who well understands the Art of which he makes Profession, should also be a wise M a n ^ or shall w e lay he may befarfrom thatCharacter ?
Alcib. He may be very farfrom itSocrates.
Socrat. * What will you say of a Republick com-
5os'd of Wrestlers, Pipers, Archers, and other liich
dnd ofPeoplemingledwithsuchPersons aswe have
)eenspeakingof^someofwhomknowhowromake War, others to condemn to Death ? ,and with those
States-Men, who are bloated with pride on the Account of their pretended Capacity in Politicks > Supposing all these People to have knowledge of whatisverygood, andthatthereisbutonesingle
* ThisisasubtileSatyr againsttheRepublickoftheAthenians, in v hich allArts and Sciences w ere seen to flourish, but the know- ledg of what isvery good w as not to be found there ; and there
forenothingbutConfusionand Disorderwastobeseenamong'en. Man
? ? ,> Of Q%ArE% . i4j
Man among'emallwhoknowseitheroftwhatOc casion or with w h o m each of these different Arts ought to be used >
Alcib. I should fay, Socrates, that would be a ve ry ill-compos'd Commonwealth.
Socrat. Much more would you fay so, when you . saw every one full of Ambition, and striving to en gross the greatest part of Affairs to himselfh that he might stillexceed himself, and become eveiy Dav
more powerful in that part of the Government which is the most Noble h and if you should at the fame timefeeeveryonemaking horribleMistakesagainst the knowledge of what is very good, both on his own accountandthatoftheCommonwealth;because
he conducts himself by Opinion without Understand ing. ThisbeingtheStateofthecafe,shouldwenot have great Reason to fay that such a Republics can't
choose but be full of Disorder and Injustice ? Alcib. This is manifestly true.
Socra. Have we not agreed that it is absolutely
necessaryforuseithertobelievewe know,orelserea- . lytoknowwhatweareabouttodoorfaywithouta-
ny farther Deliberation >
Alcib. That has been agreed between us.
SocraL*Havewenotlikewiseacknowledged, that whenanyMan doesthatwhichheknows, orthinks he knows ? , provided he possesses the knowledge of
that which is very good, great advantage hence ac crues both to himself and to the State.
Alcib. Who candoubtthat?
Socrat. And thatwhen 'tisotherwise, thecontra ry ensues.
Alcib. That'sevident.
Sue. D o you still persist in the fame Sentiments ? Alcib. I do.
Socrat. Have you notsaid, thatthegreatestnum
beristhatofFools,andthatofwiseMen theleast> Alcib. Yes, and I fay the fame still.
* The kno'wledg of thac which is very good conducts and directs usnotonlyinthethingsweknow, butalsointhoseweknownot.
R 2 Socrat.
? ? 144
T k Second Alcibiades $ or,
.
Socriit. Did we not Upon this fay, that the great est number keep at a distance from that which is good, becausetheyusuallyabandonthemselvestoO- pinion withoutllnderstanding.
Alcib. Yes, sowe said.
Socnrt. Then 'tis useful for this great number to know nothing, and to believe they know nothing, be cause what they know, or believe they know they willbewillingtoputinExecution, and insodo
ing,insteadofgaininganyadvantage, theywillre ceive great prejudice. Alcib. You say true.
Soc. By this then you fee very well, that I had reason When I told you just now, that possibly all Sciences, without the knowledge of what is very food, wereseldomusefultothosethatpossess'd'em,
ut were most commonly very pernicious to 'em. Were you not then sensible of this Truth ?
Alcib. I Was not then sensible of it, Socrates, but now1am.
Sqcrat. ThenaCitywhichwouldbewellgovern'd
andaSoulthatwouldlivewellappliesitlelfonly t o t h i s S c i e n c e ? , a s a S i c k M a n c o m m i t s h i m s e l f
to his Physician ^ and as a Sailer, that would ar rivesaleathisPort,obeyshisPilot. *Without this the greaterFortune, Men orStatesenjoy, the
* Thi? is ore of the mest difficult places in Vlttoy Mtrsilitu Ficinvs, and be Srrwhave translated it very ill, and have rather obscur'dthaninterpretedi\ HoweverFicinmsuspectedthatit wascorrupted,thohecou'dnotcorrectit. Iamofopinionthat weshouldredpu>for/jut,andjaefory6. Butthatisnotall,the
principal Fault in the Text consists in the W o r d ? &? $( which makes a very ilSense, we must iheresorc necessarily read iii)$u and take
awaythePoint. Phto'sSenseis,thatwithouttheknovvledgof whatisverygood, thegreaterFortuneaSouloraCityenjoys,the greater Crimes will they commit to satiate their Passions. The ConuptioncamefromtheWord-JWewhichis3or4. Lineshigher. ButPlatospeaksromoreoftheSoulthanhedoesoftheCity,and consequentlycouldnotrepeat4uj? f. Hecertainlywrotem'^K,
andthismorseofSpeechsTHfin-riiitrJytiisveryelegant, qui magii jortitna atfiavtrit, properly, the more Fortune blows on thtir
Poop. TheBeautyo-thisPrinciple,andtheTruthwhichitcon<< tains, p. ove the necessity of lesloring the Sense arter this manner}
The preatei Fortune wieked Men have, the greater Sins do they
commit. _ _ . * great-
? ? Os V^ATE^. 245 greater Crimes will they commit, either to acquireTht*in
Riches, or to augment their Power, or satiate t h d r ^ " ' * ^
Passions. HethatpossessesalltheArtsandScien-? utir
ces, and is destitute of this, will be driven about and cnmts thtj
toss'd by each of them, and be really batter'd with "*"**'> V
a furious Tempest ; and having neither Helm nor J j ? ^
Pilot, 'tisimpossibleheshouldgoveryfar,andhisj^owiidg
ruinemustneedsbenear. MethinkswhatthePoetofwhatit speaksofonewhomhewoulddispraisemaybeap,w? iood-
pliedtohim. *Heknew(sayshe)manythings,bu( knew ''emallamiss.
jilcib. How can one make suih an applicati-, on as this, Socrates? for m y part, I don't think. there isanyJustnessinit. ',. ",. . . ,
Socrat. O n the contrary I fay there is a great deal
ofJustnessinit. Formy dearAlcibiades,'tisa fortofEnigma. HomerandtheotherPoetsarefuli*u? ? &
of'em. ForallPoesieisnaturallyenigmatick,andf-J"**'* 'tis not given to every M a n to penetrate those Obscu- l -
ritiesj and ifbesidesitsbeing Enigmatick, itbe hand ledby enviousPoets, who insteadofdiscoveringtheir W i s d o m to us, only seek to hide itfrom us ; 'tis then almost impossible tb found their Thoughts, But
you'll never accuse Homer that most Wise, and Di vine Poet of being ignorant that 'tis impassible to. , k n o w a m i s s w h a t o n e k n o w s ? , ' t i s h e t h a t f a y s o f
Margites, that t he knew many things but knew 'em all amiss, and he speaks enigmatically, for he puts [ h e k n e w ~ ] f o r h i s h s a n t i n g a n d [ a m i s s ] f o r u n h a p p y -y which terms could not well enter into the Compo sition of his Verse ? ,but what he certainly meant by
* Or thus, To a greatSum hisKnowleJg did amount, B u t all h e k n e w t u r n ' d t o a n il l A c c o u n t .
t Homtr made a Poem against one Margites, who knew much, andyetspenthisLifeinIdlenessandDebjuchery, acertainsign, thathedidnotpossesstheknowledgofwhatisverygood. This Poem which was made up of a mixture of Herojjck and lamhick Verses islost: In which Ho>>)ir turn'd the pungent Railleriesof those Satyrical Pieces which were in vogue liefore him into pleafanc Stories and Jests; and by this means was the fitft that gave us any strokesofComedy:Secthea^ChapterofA-iJtotltoftheArtof; Poetry.
R3 it,
? ? good.
jfcfafc s0 jthink:, Socrates, I(hould scarceyield
to the most evident Truths, if I should not grant that. Stfcrat. Youhavereason. But,Alcibiad. es,Ien treatyou,letusassureourselvesoftheTruth. You
feehow manyDoubtsandUncertaintiespresentthem selves. You have your share of 'em, for you go sometimes toTherightandsometimestotheleft. That which seems true to you this Minute you re ceiveassuch-,andtheverynextMoment 5tisquite' anotherthinginyourOpinion. Letusendeavourto knowwheretosix. AndasIhavealreadysaid,if theG6d towhom youaregoingtopray^Mould sud denly appear to you, and should ask you before you have begun your Prayers, if you would be satisfied that he lhould graet you some one of those things W e first spoke of-, or rather supposing he should per mit you to make your requestv which would you think most safe and most advantageous to you, whether to receive what he should give you, or to Obtain what you shouldask ofhim >
Alcib. I solemnlyjprotefc Sdcrates, Iknow not howtoansweryou:Fornotningseemstome tobe more foolish, and more to be avoided with the great estCare, thantoruntherisqueofaskingrealEvils of God, while one thinks one is asking true Goods ofhim, andthereby to exposeone'sselr^ asyOuhave verywell said,to retractthe nextmoment, andmake new Requestsquitecontrarytotheformer. .
Socrat. IsitnotforthisReasonthatthatAhci^it
Poet I was speaking of in the beginning of our t)i? c o u r s e ? , a n d w h o u n d e r s t o o d t h e s e t h i n g s b e t t e r t h a n
we, wouldhaveusendourPrayerswiththeseWords, Andkeepevilthingsfrom us, evenwhen we. askV/>> cftheet
i^6 7heSecondMcibhdts] ot,
'AllihtSd-it, isthatMarginshadagreatdealofLearningand mctsan Knowledge,andthatthiswasanunhappyorunfbr-
withoutthetunateknowledgetohim. Ifthisknowledgewas
knoTxhdge unfortunate to him he must needs have been a poor ofwhatifMan, ifwewilladheretowhathasbeenlaid.
Alcib. So I suppose.
Socrat.
? ? of v^ayegl: 247
Socrat. In like manner the Lacedemonians, whe thertheyimitatethisPoet, orhaveofthemselves found out this Truth, make both in publick and pri
vateaPrayermuchlikeit. FortheydesiretheGodsThePrqir togive 'em that which isComely with that which istftheLact~^. Good. Theywereneverheardtomakeanyotheritm^Mt-
P r a y e r ? , a n d y e t t h e y a r e a s h a p p y a s a n y P e o p l e i n
t h e W o r l d ? , a n d i f t h e y h a v e i b m e t i m e s s e e n a n I n
terruption in the Course of their Successes ; how evernonecan'justlyblame theirPrayer. For theGejKfni
Gods are free, and it depends on their Will, whe-^*rj^r ther they will grant what isdesir'd of 'em, or give ornjetiout
whatiscontrarytoit. And onthisoccasionI'lltellpqirs you another Story, which I have often heard related wboutbt- bysomeantientPeople. TheAtheniansbeingen-%ng"*'""'
gag'dformerlyinaWar withtheLacedemonians,
it happen'd that they were always beat in every Bat
tle that was fought : Being deeply concernd atthis ?
Misfortune, and seeking Means to divert these M i seriesthatimpended, atlastafterdiversConiiiltati- ons they thought it the best Expedient to fend to the Oracle of Ammon, to enquire of him the Reason of theirMisfortunes, and to pray him to tell'em why the Gods granted Victory rather to the Lacedemoni ans, than to the Athenians, who every day offet'd 'emagreatNumberofchoicerSacrifices, whoen riched their Temples with nobler Offerings, who annually made more magnificent, and more devout Processions in their Honour, and in a word who themselves alone were at greater Expence in their Worship than all the rest of the Greeks together. Whereas (said they) the Lacedemonians have no. , regard to these Ceremonies, they are so covetous in reference to the Gods, that they offer them muti lated Victims, and are at much less charge in eve rythingthatconcernsReligionthan theAthenians,
thotheyinfinitelyexceed'eminRiches. Afterthey had thus presented their Reasons, they ask'd how those Miseries that press'd their City might be di verted. The Prophet gave 'em no,immediate an-
R 4 sweji
? ? 148
The Second Alcibiades ,? or,
swer, for doubtless the God would not permit him togiveany. Butaftersometime,recallingtheAm- ballador,hetoldhm.
ThisistheAnswerAmmon gives the Athenians ; he loves the Benedictions ofthe Lacedemonians much mire than all theSacrifices of
Prayers, the Greeks. This was all he said. By the bene-
pedictwris. & & w m ? f tne Lacedemonians, I suppose, he only R \'meanttheirPrayers,whichinde. daremoreperfect
thanthoseofanyotherPeople. Foraslortherest
ofthe Greeks,iome of 'em indeed offer'd Bulls with
gilded Horns, and others consecrated rich Oblations
to the Gods ; Lut at the fame time requested intheir
Prayers whatever their Passions suggested, without
informing themselves, whether whac they ask'd was
GoodorEvil. ButtheGods,whoheartheirBlas
phemies, aienot pleas'd with those magnificent Pro
cessions, nor do rhey accept theircostly Sacrifices. ? Therefore nothing requires so much Precaution and
Attention as Prayer; to know what we ought to
Jay,andwhatnot. You'llfindmanyotherrhings
in Homer, which amount to the lame thing wirh
theStoryIhavebeentellingyou. Forhefays,rhe
Trojans,whentheybuiltaFort, offer'dwholeHe-
catombes to the Immortal Gods, that theWinds carried
a pleasant Odour from Earth toHeaven, andyet that the Gods refusedtoaccept allthis, butresetted;it,be
causetheyhadanAversionforthesacred Cityof Troy,forPriamus, andallhisPeople. Sothatit
was to no purpose for 'em to osier Sacrifices, and make Prefenrs to the Gods that hated 'em ? , for the
nbtlot" ^eity'snott0L>ecorruptedbyBribes,likeacove- rHptedby tousUsurer. AndweshouldbeFocls,ifweshould Qribu. pretendbythismeanstorenderourselvesmorea-
greabletotheGodsthantheLacedemonians. For it would be a very horrible and most unworthy thing fjbr rhe Gods to have more regard to our Gifts and Sacrifices, than to our Souls, in distinguishing those thataretrulyholyandrighteous. Buttheyhavere gard only to our Souls, ai/d not at all to our Proces sions, or Sacrifices, upon which the most profligate
Per-
? ? Of V$,ArE<! {. 149
Persons, and those Cities whose Sins both againstGodonly<<- God and Man, ariseto thegreatestheighr, common egristj
]yvaluethemielvesmorethangoodMen. Nor&othtq! tbat the Gods ever sufferthemielves to be biass'dby Pre-ofersacri- sents,butdespiseallthosethingsastheGod hiin-if"to#*>>> self, and his Prophet have assur'd us.
Sothatitieemsplainthatnothingissopreci- '
ous as Wisdom and Justice bothinthe fightofGods intvbat andMen. And nonearetrulyjust and trulywifetmjuffia,
but those who both in theirWords and Actions know Zr^"' howtoacquitthemielvesoftheirDutybothtotheel m"""
GodsandtoMen. ThereioteIwouldnowwillingly know what your Sentiments are about whatIhave been saying. . . .
Alcib. Formy part,SocratesIcan'tchoosebut conformmySentimentsinthismattertoyours, and thoseofthatGod ofwhom we havebeenspeaking. W o u l d itbe reasonable for m e to go about to oppose
jny weak Understanding to that of a God, and to con tradict his Oracles >
Socrat. Don'tyourememberyoutoldmeyouwere in great-perplexity;forfearyoushould atunawares pray for? Evil things while you design'd only to ask
for Good?
Alcib. Iremember itvery well, Socrates. Socrat. You fee ? tis not at all safe for you to go
and pray in the Temple, in the Condition you are in, lest the G o d hearing your Blasphemies should re ject your Sacrifices, and to punilh you, should give you what you would not have :I am therefore of the mind that 'tis much better for you tobe silent, for I know you very well. Your Pride, for that's the softest N a m e I can give your Imprudence, your Pride 1 fay, probably will not permit you to use the PrayeroftheLacedemonians. Therefore'tisaltoge- ;, ther necessary you should wait for some Person to teach you how you ought to behave your selfboth towardstheGodsandMen.
Alcib. And when will that time come, Socrates > and w h o is he that will instruct m e ? with what plea sureshouldIlookuponhim ! Socrat.
? ? 250 Tie Second Alcibiades, See.
nakG>>i. Socrat. Hewilldoit,whotakesatrueCareoF you. Butmethinks, aswereadinHomer, that/W/-
nerva dissipated the Mist that cover'd Diomedes his 'I*;God Eyes^an^hinder'dhimfromdistinguishingGodfrom
"iiftpatitbtMan ? >&> ^S necessary he should in the first place Dirf-nefsof scatter the Darkness that covers your Soul, and af- thtMind, terwards give you those remedies that are necessary
; ,, fuiguitr'1
Lovtfor Mtn.
toputyouinaconditionofdiscerningGoodandEvil;
foratpresentyouknownothowtomakeadifference between 'em. i':<'? *
Alcib. Let him scatter then, let him destroy this
Darkness of mine, and whatever else he pleases ; I abandonmy selftohisconduct? ,andam veryready
to obeyallhisCommands, providedImay butBe made better by 'em.
Socrat. Do notdoubtofthat. ForthisGovernour Ite^y? u? ? n35aSingularAffectionforyou.
Alcib. IthinkImustdefermy Sacrificetothattime. Socrat. You have reason, 'tis more safesotodo
than to run so great a Risque. Alcib. WellthenI'lldeferit,Socrates-,andto
express m y Thankfulness for the good counsel you havegivenme,givemeleavetoplaceonyourHead thisCrownwhichIwearonmine. We'llpresent other Crowns to the Gods, and all the Service we o w e ' e m , w h e n I s e e t h a t h a p p y D a y ? , i t w i l l n o t belongbeforeitcome, iftheyplease.
Socrat. IreceivethisFavourwithverygreatplea sure ; and shall always kindly accept whatever comes fromyou. AndasCreon(inEuripides)seeingTire-
Jias approach him with a Crown ofGold, which was
the firstFruits of the Spoils of the Enemy, and with
which the Athenians had honour'd him for his Art, * T l s i n E u - s a i d , Js t a k e t h i s C r o w n w h i c h i s t h e s i g n o f V i f t o r y
HmbJU f? ra&? ? ^Omen;foryoufee,wearealsoinagreat ans. C stormofWar$soImustsayItakethehonourIreceive
atyourhandforahappypresage^forIam inno lessa Tempest than Creon, while Iam endeavouring to gain the Victory over all your Lovers.
? ? The Argument '. "? \\. . \\. '. . ". ,. of
! ? T # E A G E S. I. '. >>
l#? Ancients cited this Dialogue under the
Title <f Wisdom, or that of Philosophy,
iasmay beseeninDiogenesLaerthis:But hew old,soever these Titles are, they were given by Philosophers that were unacquainted with the Design ofSocrates,. who hereproposesonlytotredofthe Education of Children, . which is the Basis and Foun
dationofPhilosophy, AsPlantsdonotthrivewell, unless it be in Ground that is well prepaid, and which has been variously manured,' and also receives the benign Influences of the Heavens ;so Vertices will not grow, unless in a Soul well cultivated, and undertheInfluencesofthedivineFavour: On this good Education, not only the Happiness of Families depends, but also that of Cities, Republicks, and all States ; this is what Socrates endeavours to maintain inthisDialogue. TheyoungPeopleofthebejiFa milies of Athens, dazzled with the Glory of Ciraon,
Themistocles, and Pericles ; and full of vain A m
bition, thought of nothing but of adhering to theSo
phists, who promised to make 'em verygreat Politici
ans^ and toj>ut 'em into a Capacity of governing the
AthenhhsandtheirAllies. TheirParentswere
tinSur'd with thefame Folly : The wisest os 'em were
thosethatsear'dthe Consequences of this Ambition, andonlydiscoveredtheDangerstowhich theirChil
dren tvere exposed by the Corruption of those that in-
ftruffedYouth. SocratesherediscourseswithaFa therandaSonofthisCharaffer. TheSonaimijnly if}
M>>
? ? 3 51
The Argument of Theages. '
t o m a k e h i m s e l f a g o o d T y r a n t -, a n d t h e F a t h e r d o e s n o t blame this Ambition of his Son, provided he avoided theCorruptionthatreignedatthattime. AlltheBu sinessistofindagoodMafter. Socratesmakesan admirable Improvement of'thisDisposition of theirs, toshew, thatoneMan canneverteachanothertrue
Wisdom, which alone makes M e n govern well ; but that tbespecial favour of God is requisite to this
purpose, withoutwhichallthe EndeavoursofMas ters and Schollars too. ,prove useless ; and this he confirms by Examples. This is the true Subjeftofthk Dialogue, in which we find diverssurprizing Truths whichshallbeexplaind in their place. This Con versation pass'd that year, in which the Athenians were beat at Ephesus by Tisaphernus -, which wat the^thyearofthe<}2dOlympiade, 407yearsbefore thebirthofChrift. Platobeing20yearsofAge,wat then the Disciple of Socrates.
The CharafterofthisDialogue is thefame with that of the two former.
. . -. '. ,? '. ? ? ? ? '. '; ';<? '. . '. '<. -. -? . ? -a. -\. ?
? * ? ? . -i*? . ?
THE-
? ? ':
THE AGES, OR
Of Wisdom.
I
Demodocus, Socrates, Theages.
Demoi. QOcrates, I have a great mind to discourse \j withyoualittleinprivate,ifyouare at leisure ; and ifyou are not, I entreat you to take
a little time for my Sake, unless your Business is very urgent.
Sac Ihavealwaysleisure,andmoretoserveyou than any other Person ; if you have a mind to dis coursewithme, Iam readyforyou.
Dem. Shallwe retireintothePorchoftheTem ple of Jupiter Elutberius ?
Soc. What you please.
{*%ratitht
Dem. * Let us go then, Socrates, Methinksj^J? ljoU
Animals, and evenMan himself are like Plants:asaviour,
Forwewhomanure theEarthknowbyexperiencet>>hinwt* that'tiseasytoprepareallthingsnecessarybeforewe taMA*~
plant\butwhenthatwhichwe haveplantediscomeYbt'EducL up, thecareandpainswe musttakeaboutitisveryth>>of greatandtroublesome. TisthefamewithMen:Toy}. AndIjudgeofothersbymyself. There'smySon;
eversincehehasbeenborn, hisEducationwillnot sufferme torestonemoment, butkeeps me incon tinualfear. Withoutenteringintoanyparticular
* In the Original Dtmodoau speaks like a good honest Cou trey Man, who is wholly taken up with Husbandry: But I don't think it necessary to make roy Translation speak aster that manner.
account
*5i
? ? ij4
THE AGES; or,
account of allthe occasions of Fear Ihave concerning
him, I'll tell you one which has but very lately a$>. p e a r ' d ? , A n d t h a t i s a n A m b i t i o n h e h a s , w h i c h i n
deed is not dishonourable, but is a very nice and
dangerousthing,andmakesmeafraid. He-,would
-fainfalluponthestudyof*Wisdom. Probably
some ofhisCompanions, and some young People of
ourTownwhofrequentAthens, givehimanacconnt
of some Discourses they have heard, which have dis turbed his Brain. For he's so full of Emulation
that he continually torments me with importunate
Intreaties, thatIwould give a piece of Money to
someSophisttoaccomplishhim. *TisnottheCharge
that I fear ^ but I fee thisPassion of his will expose
himtogreatdanger. HithertoIhaverestrainedhim by amusing him with good Words ? > but now that I
supposeIcanbeMasterofhimnolonger; Ithink the best course I can take is to consent to let him take his own course, for fear the Conversation he mayhaveinsecretandwithoutmyknowledgshould corrupthim. ThereforeIamnowcometoAthens toputhimundertheTuitionofsomeSophist-yand 'tisveryhappythatIhavemetyou? ,foryouarethe Person w h o m above all others I should wish to con sultuponthisAffair. IfthereforeyouhaveanyAd vicetogiveme-yIearnestlyintreatitofyou:,and you are too just to refuse me.
Adviceis samd,andthatAdviceisaSacredThing:andifitisSacredin
^oc' But nave y? u not often heard, Det/iodocth;
confeqmntinallotheroccasionsofLife, 'tismuchmorelbinthis; f^! *TM'10 for of all things, on which a M a n can ask advice,
givm: *l>>4t'1'ere isnothing more Divine than that which respects wiithoitgbttheEducationofChildren. Firstthen,letYouand t>i- Iagree, what it is precisely that you desire, and a- Nothingit bout what we aretoconsult, lest I understand one mmdivm tnjng an(j vou another (as it iffay often happen)-,
lelongsto andibattheendofourDiscoursewe bothappear
itJ^friTi *WisdomisaWordthatsignifiesdiversthings,asKnowledg, liono)ce>>-g^ Vestue> Flttfuses-tforthatScieaccwhlchaacheshow
ttogovernStates. "
tidicu-
? ? Of WISDOM. 155
ridiculous to our selves for having talk'd so long without understanding one another.
Dem. You lay right, Socrates,
Soc. I say right, ay certainly And yet I
don't lay so right as I thought, but retract in part ;
foritcomesintomyMind, thatthisyoungMan
may have a desire very different from that which we think he has ? ,which would render us stillmore ri
diculous for consulting about quite another thing thantheObjectofhisWishes. "Tisbesttherefore tobeginwithhim, and ask him what itisthathe desires,
Dem. Yes, certainly, that's the best way.
Soc. But, I pray, what is this fine young Man's Name >
Dem. HisNameisTheages.
Soc. *Whatanexcellent,andiacredNamehave you given him ! Well, then Theages^ you desire to becomewife, andyouurgeyourFathertofindyoua Man, whole Conversation may furnish you with thatWildom, withwhichyouaresomuchinLove?
Tbeag. Yes.
Soc. W h o are those Persons you call wise, are they such as are skillful in what they have leansd, or the ignorant >
The. Such as are skillful.
