145
Socrates
Soc. Well, take the orators, for example: they either know, or think they know, how to advise us on various occasions—some about war and peace, and others about building walls or fitting up harbors; and in a word, whatever the city does to another city or within herself, all comes about by the advice of the orators.
Alcibiades
Alc. That is true.
Socrates
Soc. Then observe the consequence.
Alcibiades
Alc. If I am able.
Socrates
Soc. Why, surely you call men either wise or unwise?
5
Socrates
Soc. And the many unwise, and the few wise?
Alcibiades
Alc. Precisely.
Socrates
Soc. And in either case you name them in reference to something?
Socrates
Soc. Then do you call a man wise who knows how to give advice, without knowing whether and when it is better to act upon it?
Alcibiades
Alc. No, indeed.
Socrates
Soc. Nor, I conceive, a man who knows what war is in itself, without knowing when or for how long a time it is better to make war?
Socrates
Soc. Nor, again, a man who knows how to kill another, or seize his property, or make him an exile from his native land, without knowing when or to whom it is better so to behave?
15
Alcibiades
Alc. No, to be sure.
Socrates
Soc. Then it is a man who knows something of this sort, and is assisted by knowledge of what is best,—and this is surely the same as knowledge of the useful, is it not?
Socrates
Soc. And we shall call him wise, and a competent adviser both of the city and of his own self; but a man not so qualified we shall call the opposite of these. How do you think?
Alcibiades
Alc. I agree.
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