Kitap 2
24
He, then, who by speaking both benefits himself, and is able to benefit others, must speak skilfully; but he who injures and is injured, must be unskilful in this art. For you may find some speakers injured, and others benefited. And are all hearers benefited by what they hear? Or will you find some benefited, and some hurt?
24
Both.
24
Then those who hear skilfully are benefited, and those who hear unskilfully, hurt.
24
Granted.
24
Is there any art of hearing, then, as well as of speaking?
24
It seems so.
24
If you please, consider it thus. To whom think you that the practice of music belongs?
24
To a musician.
24
To whom the proper formation of a statue?
24
To a sculptor.
24
And do you not imagine some art necessary even to view a statue skilfully?
24
I do.
24
If, therefore, to speak properly belongs to one who is skilful, do you not see that to hear profitably belongs likewise to one who is skilful? For the present, however, if you please, let us say no more of doing things perfectly and profitably, since we are both far enough from anything of that kind; but this seems to be universally confessed, that he who would hear philosophers needs some kind of exercise in hearing. Is it not so? Tell me, then, on what I shall speak to you. On what subject are you able to hear me?
24
On good and evil.
24
The good and evil of what,—of a horse?
24
No.
24
Of an ox?
24
No.
24
What, then; of a man?
24
Yes.
