258
Socrates
Socrates. The writer says, It was voted by the senate (or the people, or both), and so-and-so moved, mentioning his own name with great dignity and praise, then after that he goes on, displaying his own wisdom to his approvers, and sometimes making a very long document. Does it seem to you that a thing of that sort is anything else than a written speech?
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. No, certainly not.
Socrates
Socrates. Then if this speech is approved, the writer leaves the theater in great delight; but if it is not recorded and he is not granted the privilege of speech-writing and is not considered worthy to be an author, he is grieved, and his friends with him.
5
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. Decidedly.
Socrates
Socrates. Evidently not because they despise the profession, but because they admire it.
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. To be sure.
Socrates
Socrates. Well then, when an orator or a king is able to rival the greatness of Lycurgus or Solon or Darius and attain immortality as a writer in the state, does he not while living think himself equal to the gods, and has not posterity the same opinion of him, when they see his writings?
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. Very true.
10
Socrates
Socrates. Do you think, then, that any of the statesmen, no matter how ill-disposed toward Lysias, reproaches him for being a writer?
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. It is not likely, according to what you say; for he would be casting reproach upon that which he himself desires to be.
Socrates
Socrates. Then that is clear to all, that writing speeches is not in itself a disgrace.
Phaedrus
Phaedrus. How can it be?
