[
350a]
In
prescribing food and drink would he want to outdo the medical man or the
medical procedure?” “Surely not.”
“But he would the unmedical man?”
“Yes.” “Consider then with regard to all
1 forms of knowledge and ignorance whether you think that
anyone who knows would choose to do or say other or more than what another
who knows would do or say, and not rather exactly what his like would do in
the same action.” “Why, perhaps it must be
so,” he said, “in such cases.” “But
what of the ignorant man—of him who does not know? Would he not
overreach or outdo equally
[
350b]
the knower
and the ignorant?” “It may be.” “But
the one who knows is wise?” “I'll say so.”
“And the wise is good?” “I'll say
so.” “Then he who is good and wise will not wish to
overreach his like but his unlike and opposite.” “It
seems so,” he said. “But the bad man and the ignoramus
will overreach both like and unlike?” “So it
appears.” “And does not our unjust man, Thrasymachus,
overreach both unlike and like? Did you not say that?”
“I did,” he replied.
[
350c]
“But the just man will not overreach his like but only his
unlike?” “Yes.” “Then the just man
is like the wise and good, and the unjust is like the bad and the
ignoramus.” “It seems likely.” “But
furthermore we agreed that such is each as that to which he is
like.” “Yes, we did.” “Then the just
man has turned out
2 on our
hands to be good and wise and the unjust man bad and
ignorant.”
Thrasymachus made all
these admissions
[
350d]
not as I now lightly
narrate them, but with much baulking and reluctance
3 and prodigious
sweating, it being summer, and it was then I beheld what I had never seen
before—Thrasymachus blushing.
4 But
when we did reach our conclusion that justice is virtue and wisdom and
injustice vice and ignorance, “Good,” said I,
“let this be taken as established.
5 But we were also affirming that
injustice is a strong and potent thing. Don't you remember,
Thrasymachus?” “I remember,” he said;
“but I don't agree with what you are now saying either and I have
an answer to it,
[
350e]
but if I were to
attempt to state it, I know very well that you would say that I was
delivering a harangue.
6 Either then allow me to speak at such
length as I desire,
7 or, if you prefer to ask
questions, go on questioning and I, as we do for old wives
8
telling their tales, will say 'Very good' and will nod assent and
dissent.” “No, no,” said I, “not
counter to your own belief.” “Yes, to please
you,” he said, “since you don't allow me freedom of
speech. And yet what more do you want?” “Nothing,
indeed,” said I; “but if this is what you propose to do,
do it and I will ask the questions.” “Ask on,
then.” “This, then, is the question I ask, the same as
before, so that our inquiry may proceed in sequence.