227
Socrates
Soc. So mankind are harmed by loss.
Friend
Fr. They are harmed.
Socrates
Soc. Then loss is an evil.
Socrates
Soc. And gain is the opposite of loss.
10
Socrates
Soc. So that gain is a good.
Socrates
Soc. Hence it is those who love the good that you call lovers of gain.
Friend
Fr. So it seems.
15
Socrates
Soc. At least there is nothing mad, my friend, about lovers of gain, as you describe them. But tell me, do you yourself love, or not love, whatever is good?
Socrates
Soc. And is there anything good that you do not love, or must it then be evil?
Friend
Fr. Upon my word, nothing.
Socrates
Soc. In fact, I expect you love all good things.
20
Socrates
Soc. Well now, ask me on my side whether I do not likewise: for I shall agree with you, for my part, that I love good things. But besides you and me, do you not think that all the rest of mankind love good things, and hate evil things?
Friend
Fr. It appears so to me.
Socrates
Soc. And we admitted that gain is good?
