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Then the two striplings, overhearing us speak somewhat like this, were silent, and ceasing from their own contention they became listeners to ours. What their lovers’ sensations were, I do not know, but I myself, at any rate, was staggered; for every time I am staggered by handsome young people. It seemed to me, however, that my young friend too was in as great a flutter as myself; but nevertheless he answered me in a most ambitious spirit: Why, of course, Socrates, he said, if I should ever consider philosophizing to be shameful, I should not account myself so much as a man, nor anyone else either who was disposed to think so. Here he pointed to his rival lover, and spoke with a loud voice, in order that his favorite might hear every word.
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Then I remarked: So philosophizing seems to you to be honorable?
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Quite so, he said.
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Well now, I said; does it seem to you possible to know whether anything is honorable or shameful without knowing what it is fundamentally?
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No, he said. Then do you know, I went on, what philosophizing is?
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Certainly I do, said he.
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Then what is it? I asked.
