48–49
Protarchus
Pro. How do you mean? I am afraid I can never do it.
Socrates
Soc. Then you say that I must now make the division?
25
Protarchus
Pro. Yes, I say so, and I beg you to do so, besides.
Socrates
Soc. Must not all those who do not know themselves be affected by their condition in one of three ways?
Protarchus
Pro. How is that?
Socrates
Soc. First in regard to wealth; such a man thinks he is richer than he is.
Protarchus
Pro. Certainly a good many are affected in that way.
30
Socrates
Soc. And there are still more who think they are taller and handsomer than they are and that they possess better physical qualities in general than is the case.
Protarchus
Pro. Certainly.
Socrates
Soc. But by far the greatest number, I fancy, err in the third way, about the qualities of, the soul, thinking that they excel in virtue when they do not.
Protarchus
Pro. Yes, most decidedly.
Socrates
Soc. And of all the virtues, is not wisdom the one to which people in general lay claim, thereby filling themselves with strife and false conceit of wisdom?
Protarchus
Pro. Yes, to be sure.
Socrates
Soc. And we should surely be right in calling all that an evil condition.
5
Protarchus
Pro. Very much so.
Socrates
Soc. Then this must further be divided into two parts, if we are to gain insight into childish envy with its absurd mixture of pleasure and pain. How shall we divide it, do you say? All who have this false and foolish conceit of themselves fall, like the rest of mankind, into two classes: some necessarily have strength and power, others, as I believe, the reverse.
Protarchus
Pro. Yes, necessarily.
