116–117
Socrates
Soc. Hence just things, Alcibiades, are expedient.
Alcibiades
Alc. So it seems.
Socrates
Soc. Well now, are not you the speaker of all this, and I the questioner?
35
Alcibiades
Alc. I seem to be, apparently.
Socrates
Soc. So if anyone stands up to advise either the Athenians or the Peparethians, Peparethus is a small island off the coast of Thessaly. imagining that he understands what is just and unjust, and says that just things are sometimes evil, could you do other than laugh him to scorn, since you actually say yourself that just and expedient are the same?
Alcibiades
Alc. But by Heaven, Socrates, I do not even know what I am saying, I feel altogether in such a strange state! For from moment to moment I change my view under your questioning.
Socrates
Soc. And are you unaware, my friend, what this feeling is?
Alcibiades
Alc. I am, quite.
40
Socrates
Soc. Well, do you suppose that if someone should ask you whether you have two eyes or three, two hands or four, or anything else of that sort, you would answer differently from moment to moment, or always the same thing?
Alcibiades
Alc. I begin to have misgivings about myself, but still I think I should make the same answer.
Socrates
Soc. And the reason would be, because you know?
Alcibiades
Alc. I think so.
Socrates
Soc. Then if you involuntarily give contradictory answers, clearly it must be about things of which you are ignorant.
Alcibiades
Alc. Very likely.
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