124
Socrates
Soc. God, Alcibiades, who until this day would not let me converse with you; and trusting in him I say that through no other man but me will you attain to eminence.
Alcibiades
Alc. You are jesting, Socrates.
Socrates
Soc. Perhaps; I am right, however, in saying that we need to take pains—all men rather badly, but we two very badly indeed.
Alcibiades
Alc. As to me, you are not wrong.
10
Socrates
Soc. Nor, I fear, as to myself either.
Alcibiades
Alc. Then what can we do?
Socrates
Soc. There must be no crying off or skulking, my good friend.
Alcibiades
Alc. No, for that would indeed be unseemly, Socrates.
Socrates
Soc. It would; so let us consider in common. Now tell me: we say, do we not, that we wish to be as good as possible?
15
Socrates
Soc. In what excellence?
Alcibiades
Alc. Clearly that which is the aim of good men.
Socrates
Soc. Good in what?
Alcibiades
Alc. Clearly, good in the management of affairs.
20
Socrates
Soc. What sort of affairs? Horsemanship?
Socrates
Soc. Because we should apply to horsemen?
Socrates
Soc. Well, seamanship, do you mean?
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