others praised them.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly.

STRANGER: And do you remember the terms in which they are praised?

YOUNG SOCRATES: I do not.

STRANGER: I wonder whether I can explain to you in words the thought

which is passing in my mind.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Why not?

STRANGER: You fancy that this is all so easy: Well, let us consider

these notions with reference to the opposite classes of action under

which they fall. When we praise quickness and energy and acuteness,

whether of mind or body or sound, we express our praise of the quality

which we admire by one word, and that one word is manliness or courage.

YOUNG SOCRATES: How?

STRANGER: We speak of an action as energetic and brave, quick and manly,

and vigorous too; and when we apply the name of which I speak as the

common attribute of all these natures, we certainly praise them.

YOUNG SOCRATES: True.

115

Statesman