231–232
Socrates
Soc. And not without good reason, sir. Now answer this further question: you say that if one acquires more than the amount one has spent, it is gain?
15
Friend
Fr. I do not mean, when it is evil, but if one gets more gold or silver than one has spent.
Socrates
Soc. Now, I am just going to ask you about that. Tell me, if one spends half a pound of gold and gets double that weight in silver, has one got gain or loss?
Friend
Fr. Loss, I presume, Socrates for one’s gold is reduced to twice, instead of twelve times, the value of silver.
Socrates
Soc. But you see, one has got more; or is double not more than half?
Friend
Fr. Not in worth, the one being silver and the other gold.
20
Socrates
Soc. So gain, it seems, must have this addition of worth. At least, you now say that silver, though more than gold, is not worth as much, and that gold, though less, is of equal worth.
Friend
Fr. Assuredly, for that is the case.
Socrates
Soc. Then the valuable is what produces gain, whether it be small or great, and the valueless produces no gain.
Socrates
Soc. And by the valuable you mean simply, valuable to possess?
25
Friend
Fr. Yes, to possess.
Socrates
Soc. And again, by what is valuable to possess, do you mean the unprofitable or the profitable?
Friend
Fr. The profitable, I presume.
Socrates
Soc. And the profitable is good?
Socrates
Soc. And so, most valiant of men, have we not here once more, for the third or fourth time, the admission that what produces gain is good?
Socrates
Soc. Then do you remember the point from which this discussion of ours arose?
