Gorgias
contributor: Eric Lease Morgan (Infomotions, Inc.)
creator: Plato
date: 0000-00-00
extent: 192954
format: text/plain
language: en
publisher: Eris Etext Project
rights: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/GPL/2.0/
source: 7
subject: cal
subject: pol
subject: man
subject: socrates
subject: late
subject: fray
subject: feast
subject: fault
subject: plato
subject: gorgias
subject: western
subject: philosophy
type: text
local mirror: plato-gorgias-343.txt
concordance: http://infomotions.com/alex/cgi-bin/concordance.pl
plain html: plato-gorgias-343.htm
sort title: Gorgias
full text: 380 BC GORGIAS by Plato translated by Benjamin Jowett GORGIAS PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: CALLICLES; SOCRATES; CHAEREPHON; GORGIAS; POLUS Scene: The house of Callicles. Callicles. The wise man, as the proverb says, is late for a fray, but not for a feast. Socrates. And are we late for a feast? Cal. Yes, and a delightful feast; for Gorgias has just been exhibiting to us many fine things. Soc. It is not my fault, Callicles; our friend Chaerephon is to blame; for he would keep us loitering in the Agora. Chaerephon. Never mind, Socrates; the misfortune of which I have been the cause I will also repair; for Gorgias is a friend of mine, and I will make him give the exhibition again either now, or, if you prefer, at some other time. Cal. What is the matter, Chaerephon-does Socrates want to hear Gorgias? Chaer. Yes, that was our intention in coming. Cal. Come into my house, then; for Gorgias is staying with me, and he shall exhibit to you. Soc. Very good, Callicles; but will he answer our questions? for I want to hear from him what is the nature of his art, and what it is which he professes and teaches; he may, as you [Chaerephon] suggest, defer the exhibition to some other time. Cal. There is nothing like asking him, Socrates; and indeed to answer questions is a part of his exhibition, for he was saying only just now, that any one in my house might put any question to him, and that he would answer. Soc. How fortunate! will you ask him, Chaerephon-? Chaer. What shall I ask him? Soc. Ask him who he is. Chaer. What do you mean? Soc. I mean such a question as would elicit from him, if he had been a maker of shoes, the answer that he is a cobbler. Do you understand? Chaer. I understand, and will ask him: Tell me, Gorgias, is our friend Callicles right in saying that you undertake to answer any questions which you are asked? Gorgias. Quite right, Chaerephon: I was saying as much only just now; and I may add, that many years have elapsed since any one has asked me a new one. Chaer. …