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Socrates
Soc. And you think you are still lacking in some knowledge which it behoves your father to provide for you?
Socrates
Soc. What knowledge is it? Tell us on our side, that we may oblige you.
Theages
The. He knows it, as well as I, Socrates, since I have often told him; only he says this to you of set purpose, making as if he did not know what I desire. For he assails me too with other statements of the same sort, and refuses to place me with any instructor.
Socrates
Soc. Well, what you said to him before was spoken, as it were, without witnesses; but now you shall take me as a witness, and declare before me what is this wisdom that you desire. Come now; suppose you desired the wisdom whereby men steer a ship, and I happened to put this further question to you: Theages, what wisdom is it that you lack, when you blame your father for refusing to place you with people who would enable you to become wise? What answer would you have given me? What wisdom would you name? The steersman’s art, would you not?
5
Socrates
Soc. And if a desire to be wise in the wisdom whereby they steer chariots led you to blame your father, and I asked what wisdom this was, what would you name in reply? The charioteer’s art, would you not?
Socrates
Soc. And is that which you happen to be desiring now a nameless one, or has it a name?
Theages
The. I should say it has a name.
10
Socrates
Soc. Now do you know it, though not its name, or do you know its name as well?
Theages
The. I know its name as well.
Socrates
Soc. Then what is it? Tell me.
