YOUNG SOCRATES: What is it?

STRANGER: That they are two principles which thoroughly hate one another

and are antagonistic throughout a great part of nature.

YOUNG SOCRATES: How singular!

STRANGER: Yes, very--for all the parts of virtue are commonly said to be

friendly to one another.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Yes.

STRANGER: Then let us carefully investigate whether this is universally

true, or whether there are not parts of virtue which are at war with

their kindred in some respect.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Tell me how we shall consider that question.

STRANGER: We must extend our enquiry to all those things which we

consider beautiful and at the same time place in two opposite classes.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Explain; what are they?

STRANGER: Acuteness and quickness, whether in body or soul or in the

movement of sound, and the imitations of them which painting and music

supply, you must have praised yourself before now, or been present when

114

Statesman