226–227
Socrates
Soc. But does a general, who knows that his army has worthless arms, think to make gain, or think it worth while to make gain, from them?
Socrates
Soc. Or does a flute-player who has worthless flutes, or a harper with a lyre, a bowman with a bow, or anyone else at all, in short, among ordinary craftsmen or sensible men in general, with any implement or other equipment of any sort that is worthless, think to make gain from it?
Friend
Fr. To all appearance, no.
Socrates
Soc. Then whoever can they be, your lovers of gain? For I presume they are not the people whom we have successively mentioned, but people who know their worthless things, and yet think they are to make gain from them. But in that case, by what you say, remarkable sir, no man alive is a lover of gain
15
Friend
Fr. Well, Socrates, I should like to call those lovers of gain who from insatiable greed consumedly long for things that are even quite petty and of little or no worth, and so love gain, in each case.
Socrates
Soc. Not knowing, of course, my excellent friend, that the things are worthless; for we have already convinced ourselves by our argument that this is impossible.
Socrates
Soc. And if not knowing this, clearly they are ignorant of it, but think that those worthless things are worth a great deal.
Friend
Fr. Apparently.
20
Socrates
Soc. Now, of course lovers of gain must love gain?
Socrates
Soc. And by gain you mean the opposite of loss?
Socrates
Soc. And is it a good thing for anyone to suffer loss?
Socrates
Soc. Rather an evil?
