STRANGER: And do we not often praise the quiet strain of action also?

YOUNG SOCRATES: To be sure.

STRANGER: And do we not then say the opposite of what we said of the

other?

YOUNG SOCRATES: How do you mean?

STRANGER: We exclaim How calm! How temperate! in admiration of the slow

and quiet working of the intellect, and of steadiness and gentleness in

action, of smoothness and depth of voice, and of all rhythmical movement

and of music in general, when these have a proper solemnity. Of all such

actions we predicate not courage, but a name indicative of order.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true.

STRANGER: But when, on the other hand, either of these is out of place,

the names of either are changed into terms of censure.

YOUNG SOCRATES: How so?

STRANGER: Too great sharpness or quickness or hardness is termed

violence or madness; too great slowness or gentleness is called

cowardice or sluggishness; and we may observe, that for the most part

116

Statesman