122
Demodocus
Dem. Why, I think you are right there, Socrates, and we should do as you suggest.
Socrates
Soc. Yes, I am right, but yet not entirely, because I have a slight change to make. For it occurs to me that this youngster may not be desiring the thing that we suppose him to desire, but something else, and there again we may be still more absurdly taking counsel on some other thing. Hence our most proper course, it seems to me, is to begin with the youth himself, and inquire of him what it actually is that he desires.
Demodocus
Dem. It does rather look, in fact, as though our best way would be thus, as you suggest.
5
Socrates
Soc. Then tell me, what is the young person’s goodly name: how are we to address him?
Demodocus
Dem. Theages is his name, Socrates.
Socrates
Soc. Goodly is the name, Demodocus, and holy-sounding, Theages means god-guided. that you have bestowed on your son. Tell me, then, Theages, do you say you desire to become wise, and do you require your father here to find out a school of some man who is qualified to make you wise?
Socrates
Soc. And which sort of man do you call wise, those who have knowledge of such and such a thing, whatever it may be, or those who have not?
10
Theages
The. Those who have knowledge, I say.
Socrates
Soc. Well now, has not your father taught and educated you in the subjects which form the education of everyone else here—all the sons of noble and honorable fathers—in letters, I mean, and harping and wrestling and the other sorts of contest?
Theages
The. Yes, he has.
