按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
less than that of Archelaus for him。 The tyrannicide expected by his crime
to become tyrant and afterwards to have a happy life； but when he had
held the tyranny three or four days； he was in his turn conspired against
and slain。 Or look at certain of our own citizens；and of their actions we
have been not hearers； but eyewitnesses；who have desired to obtain
military command： of those who have gained their object； some are even
to this day exiles from the city； while others have lost their lives。 And even
8
… Page 9…
ALCIBIADES II
they who seem to have fared best； have not only gone through many perils
and terrors during their office； but after their return home they have been
beset by informers worse than they once were by their foes； insomuch that
several of them have wished that they had remained in a private station
rather than have had the glories of command。 If； indeed； such perils and
terrors were of profit to the commonwealth； there would be reason in
undergoing them； but the very contrary is the case。 Again； you will find
persons who have prayed for offspring； and when their prayers were heard；
have fallen into the greatest pains and sufferings。 For some have begotten
children who were utterly bad； and have therefore passed all their days in
misery； while the parents of good children have undergone the misfortune
of losing them； and have been so little happier than the others that they
would have preferred never to have had children rather than to have had
them and lost them。 And yet； although these and the like examples are
manifest and known of all； it is rare to find any one who has refused what
has been offered him； or； if he were likely to gain aught by prayer； has
refrained from making his petition。 The mass of mankind would not
decline to accept a tyranny； or the command of an army； or any of the
numerous things which cause more harm than good： but rather； if they had
them not； would have prayed to obtain them。 And often in a short space of
time they change their tone； and wish their old prayers unsaid。 Wherefore
also I suspect that men are entirely wrong when they blame the gods as the
authors of the ills which befall them （compare Republic）： 'their own
presumption；' or folly （whichever is the right word）
'Has brought these unmeasured woes upon them。' （Homer。 Odyss。）
He must have been a wise poet； Alcibiades； who； seeing as I believe；
his friends foolishly praying for and doing things which would not really
profit them； offered up a common prayer in behalf of them all：
'King Zeus； grant us good whether prayed for or unsought by us； But
that which we ask amiss； do thou avert。' （The author of these lines； which
are probably of Pythagorean origin； is unknown。 They are found also in
the Anthology （Anth。 Pal。）。）
In my opinion； I say； the poet spoke both well and prudently； but if
you have anything to say in answer to him； speak out。
9
… Page 10…
ALCIBIADES II
ALCIBIADES： It is difficult； Socrates； to oppose what has been well
said。 And I perceive how many are the ills of which ignorance is the cause；
since； as would appear； through ignorance we not only do； but what is
worse； pray for the greatest evils。 No man would imagine that he would do
so； he would rather suppose that he was quite capable of praying for what
was best： to call down evils seems more like a curse than a prayer。
SOCRATES： But perhaps； my good friend； some one who is wiser
than either you or I will say that we have no right to blame ignorance thus
rashly； unless we can add what ignorance we mean and of what； and also
to whom and how it is respectively a good or an evil？
ALCIBIADES： How do you mean？ Can ignorance possibly be better
than knowledge for any person in any conceivable case？
SOCRATES： So I believe：you do not think so？
ALCIBIADES： Certainly not。
SOCRATES： And yet surely I may not suppose that you would ever
wish to act towards your mother as they say that Orestes and Alcmeon and
others have done towards their parent。
ALCIBIADES： Good words； Socrates； prithee。
SOCRATES： You ought not to bid him use auspicious words； who says
that you would not be willing to commit so horrible a deed； but rather him
who affirms the contrary； if the act appear to you unfit even to be
mentioned。 Or do you think that Orestes； had he been in his senses and
knew what was best for him to do； would ever have dared to venture on
such a crime？
ALCIBIADES： Certainly not。
SOCRATES： Nor would any one else； I fancy？
ALCIBIADES： No。
SOCRATES： That ignorance is bad then； it would appear； which is of
the best and does not know what is best？
ALCIBIADES： So I think； at least。
SOCRATES： And both to the person who is ignorant and everybody
else？
ALCIBIADES： Yes。
SOCRATES： Let us take another case。 Suppose that you were
10
… Page 11…
ALCIBIADES II
suddenly to get into your head that it would be a good thing to kill Pericles；
your kinsman and guardian； and were to seize a sword and； going to the
doors of his house； were to enquire if he were at home； meaning to slay
only him and no one else：the servants reply； 'Yes'： （Mind； I do not mean
that you would really do such a thing； but there is nothing； you think； to
prevent a man who is ignorant of the best； having occasionally the whim
that what is worst is best？
ALCIBIADES： No。）
SOCRATES：If； then； you went indoors； and seeing him； did not
know him； but thought that he was some one else； would you venture to
slay him？
ALCIBIADES： Most decidedly not （it seems to me）。 （These words are
omitted in several MSS。）
SOCRATES： For you designed to kill； not the first who offered； but
Pericles himself？
ALCIBIADES： Certainly。
SOCRATES： And if you made many attempts； and each time failed to
recognize Pericles； you would never attack him？
ALCIBIADES： Never。
SOCRATES： Well； but if Orestes in like manner had not known his
mother； do you think that he would ever have laid hands upon her？
ALCIBIADES： No。
SOCRATES： He did not intend to slay the first woman he came across；
nor any one else's mother； but only his own？