134
Socrates
Soc. And when he makes mistakes, will he not do ill both in private and in public?
Alcibiades
Alc. Of course.
Socrates
Soc. And doing ill he will be wretched?
Alcibiades
Alc. Yes, very.
Socrates
Soc. And what of those for whom he is doing so?
10
Alcibiades
Alc. They will be wretched also.
Socrates
Soc. Then it is impossible to be happy if one is not temperate and good.
Alcibiades
Alc. Impossible.
Socrates
Soc. So it is the bad men who are wretched.
Alcibiades
Alc. Yes, very.
15
Socrates
Soc. And hence it is not he who has made himself rich that is relieved of wretchedness, but he who has made himself temperate.
Alcibiades
Alc. Apparently.
Socrates
Soc. So it is not walls or warships or arsenals that cities need, Alcibiades, if they are to be happy, nor numbers, nor size, without virtue.
Alcibiades
Alc. No, indeed.
Socrates
Soc. And if you are to manage the city’s affairs properly and honorably, you must impart virtue to the citizens.
20
Alcibiades
Alc. Of course.
Socrates
Soc. But could one possibly impart a thing that one had not?
Alcibiades
Alc. How, indeed?
Socrates
Soc. Then you or anyone else who is to be governor and curator, not merely of himself and his belongings in private, but of the state and its affairs, must first acquire virtue himself.
Alcibiades
Alc. That is true.
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