145–146
Socrates
Soc. And what of a man who knows how to ride or shoot, or else to box or wrestle or contend in any other sport, or do anything that we know by rule of art? What do you call him who knows what is better done by rule of that particular art? Do you not say that he who goes by the rules of riding is a good rider?
Socrates
Soc. And the rules of boxing, I suppose, make a good boxer, and those of flute-playing a good flute-player, and so, on the same lines, ἀνὰ λόγον occurs, with the genitive, in Plat. Tim. 29c; the normal Platonic phrase for our passage is ὡσαύτως. I presume, with the rest; or is there any difference?
Alcibiades
Alc. No, it is as you say.
Socrates
Soc. Then do you think it inevitable that he who has some knowledge about these things should also be a wise man, or shall we say he comes far short of it?
25
Alcibiades
Alc. Far short of it, I declare.
Socrates
Soc. Then what sort of state do you suppose it would be, where the people were good bowmen and flute-players, together with athletes and artists in general, and mingled with these the men whom we have just mentioned as knowing war in itself and slaughter in itself, and orator-windbags too with their political bluster, but all of them lacked this knowledge of the best, and none knew when or upon whom it was better to employ their respective arts?
Alcibiades
Alc. A paltry one, I should call it, Socrates.
