654
Athenian
Ath. Now, whereas all other creatures are devoid of any perception of the various kinds of order and disorder in movement (which we term rhythm and harmony), to men the very gods, who were given, as we said, to be our fellows in the dance, have granted the pleasurable perception of rhythm and harmony, whereby they cause us to move and lead our choirs, linking us one with another by means of songs and dances; and to the choir they have given its name from the cheer implanted therein.Here χορός is fancifully derived from χαρά, joy. For similar etymologies, see the Cratylus, passim. Shall we accept this account to begin with, and postulate that education owes its origin to Apollo and the Muses?
Athenian
Ath. Shall we assume that the uneducated man is without choir-training, and the educated man fully choir-trained?
Athenian
Ath. Choir-training, as a whole, embraces of course both dancing and song.
5
Clinias
Clin. Undoubtedly.
Athenian
Ath. So the well-educated man will be able both to sing and dance well.
Athenian
Ath. Let us now consider what this last statement of ours implies.
Clinias
Clin. Which statement?
10
Athenian
Ath. Our words are,—he sings well and dances well: ought we, or ought we not, to add,—provided that he sings good songs and dances good dances?
Clinias
Clin. We ought to add this.