127
Socrates
Soc. And hence no friendship either, if, as we said, friendship is agreement.
Alcibiades
Alc. Apparently not.
10
Socrates
Soc. So women are not loved by men, in so far as they do their own work.
Alcibiades
Alc. It seems not.
Socrates
Soc. Nor are men by women, in so far as they do theirs.
Socrates
Soc. And states, therefore, are not well ordered in so far as each person does his own business? Cf. Plat. Charm. 161e, Plat. Rep. 1.332 ff.
15
Alcibiades
Alc. I think they are, Socrates.
Socrates
Soc. How can you say that? Without the presence of friendship, which we say must be there if states are well ordered, as otherwise they are not?
Alcibiades
Alc. But it seems to me that friendship arises among them just on that account—that each of the two parties does its own business.
Socrates
Soc. It was not so a moment since: but now, what do you mean this time? Does friendship arise where there is no agreement? And is it possible that agreement should arise where some know about the business, but others do not?
Alcibiades
Alc. Impossible.
20
Socrates
Soc. And are they doing what is just or unjust, when each man does his own business?
Alcibiades
Alc. What is just, of course.
Socrates
Soc. And when the citizens do what is just in the city, does not friendship arise among them?
Alcibiades
Alc. Again I think that must be so, Socrates.
Socrates
Soc. Then whatever do you mean by that friendship or agreement about which we must be wise and well-advised in order that we may be good men? For I am unable to learn either what it is, or in whom; since it appears that the same persons sometimes have it, and sometimes not, by your account.
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