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ERYXIAS
ERYXIAS
by a Platonic Imitator
Translated by Benjamin Jowett
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ERYXIAS
INTRODUCTION。
Much cannot be said in praise of the style or conception of the Eryxias。
It is frequently obscure； like the exercise of a student； it is full of small
imitations of Plato：Phaeax returning from an expedition to Sicily
（compare Socrates in the Charmides from the army at Potidaea）； the figure
of the game at draughts； borrowed from the Republic； etc。 It has also in
many passages the ring of sophistry。 On the other hand； the rather
unhandsome treatment which is exhibited towards Prodicus is quite unlike
the urbanity of Plato。
Yet there are some points in the argument which are deserving of
attention。 （1） That wealth depends upon the need of it or demand for it； is
the first anticipation in an abstract form of one of the great principles of
modern political economy； and the nearest approach to it to be found in an
ancient writer。 （2） The resolution of wealth into its simplest implements
going on to infinity is a subtle and refined thought。 （3） That wealth is
relative to circumstances is a sound conception。 （4） That the arts and
sciences which receive payment are likewise to be comprehended under
the notion of wealth； also touches a question of modern political economy。
（5） The distinction of post hoc and propter hoc； often lost sight of in
modern as well as in ancient times。 These metaphysical conceptions and
distinctions show considerable power of thought in the writer； whatever
we may think of his merits as an imitator of Plato。
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ERYXIAS
PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE：
Socrates； Eryxias； Erasistratus； Critias。
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ERYXIAS
SCENE： The portico of a temple
of Zeus。
It happened by chance that Eryxias the Steirian was walking with me
in the Portico of Zeus the Deliverer； when there came up to us Critias and
Erasistratus； the latter the son of Phaeax； who was the nephew of
Erasistratus。 Now Erasistratus had just arrived from Sicily and that part
of the world。 As they approached； he said； Hail； Socrates！
SOCRATES： The same to you； I said； have you any good news from
Sicily to tell us？
ERASISTRATUS： Most excellent。 But； if you please； let us first sit
down； for I am tired with my yesterday's journey from Megara。
SOCRATES： Gladly； if that is your desire。
ERASISTRATUS： What would you wish to hear first？ he said。
What the Sicilians are doing； or how they are disposed towards our city？
To my mind； they are very like wasps： so long as you only cause them a
little annoyance they are quite unmanageable； you must destroy their nests
if you wish to get the better of them。 And in a similar way； the
Syracusans； unless we set to work in earnest； and go against them with a
great expedition； will never submit to our rule。 The petty injuries which
we at present inflict merely irritate them enough to make them utterly
intractable。 And now they have sent ambassadors to Athens； and intend；
I suspect； to play us some trick。While we were talking； the Syracusan
envoys chanced to go by； and Erasistratus； pointing to one of them； said to
me； That； Socrates； is the richest man in all Italy and Sicily。 For who has
larger estates or more land at his disposal to cultivate if he please？ And
they are of a quality； too； finer than any other land in Hellas。 Moreover；
he has all the things which go to make up wealth； slaves and horses
innumerable； gold and silver without end。
I saw that he was inclined to expatiate on the riches of the man； so I
asked him； Well； Erasistratus； and what sort of character does he bear in
Sicily？
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ERYXIAS
ERASISTRATUS： He is esteemed to be； and really is； the wickedest
of all the Sicilians and Italians； and even more wicked than he is rich；
indeed； if you were to ask any Sicilian whom he thought to be the worst
and the richest of mankind； you would never hear any one else named。
I reflected that we were speaking； not of trivial matters； but about
wealth and virtue； which are deemed to be of the greatest moment； and I
asked Erasistratus whom he considered the wealthier；he who was the
possessor of a talent of silver or he who had a field worth two talents？
ERASISTRATUS： The owner of the field。
SOCRATES： And on the same principle he who had robes and
bedding and such things which are of greater value to him than to a
stranger would be richer than the stranger？
ERASISTRATUS： True。
SOCRATES： And if any one gave you a choice； which of these
would you prefer？
ERASISTRATUS： That which was most valuable。
SOCRATES： In which way do you think you would be the richer？
ERASISTRATUS： By choosing as I said。
SOCRATES： And he appears to you to be the richest who has goods
of the greatest value？
ERASISTRATUS： He does。
SOCRATES： And are not the healthy richer than the sick； since
health is a possession more valuable than riches to the sick？ Surely there
is no one who would not prefer to be poor and well； rather than to have all
the King of Persia's wealth and to be ill。 And this proves that men set
health above wealth； else they would never choose the one in preference to
the other。
ERASISTRATUS： True。
SOCRATES： And if anything appeared to be more valuable than
health； he would be the richest who possessed it？
ERASISTRATUS： He would。
SOCRATES： Suppose that some one came to us at this moment and
were to ask； Well； Socrates and Eryxias and Erasistratus； can you tell me
what is of the greatest value to men？ Is