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not; and guard against them whether they were supernatural or natural; and
he would provide the good; as he would know how to deal both with gods or
men。
NICIAS: I think; Socrates; that there is a great deal of truth in what you
say。
SOCRATES: But then; Nicias; courage; according to this new definition of
yours; instead of being a part of virtue only; will be all virtue?
NICIAS: It would seem so。
SOCRATES: But we were saying that courage is one of the parts of virtue?
NICIAS: Yes; that was what we were saying。
SOCRATES: And that is in contradiction with our present view?
NICIAS: That appears to be the case。
SOCRATES: Then; Nicias; we have not discovered what courage is。
NICIAS: We have not。
LACHES: And yet; friend Nicias; I imagined that you would have made the
discovery; when you were so contemptuous of the answers which I made to
Socrates。 I had very great hopes that you would have been enlightened by
the wisdom of Damon。
NICIAS: I perceive; Laches; that you think nothing of having displayed
your ignorance of the nature of courage; but you look only to see whether I
have not made a similar display; and if we are both equally ignorant of the
things which a man who is good for anything should know; that; I suppose;
will be of no consequence。 You certainly appear to me very like the rest
of the world; looking at your neighbour and not at yourself。 I am of
opinion that enough has been said on the subject which we have been
discussing; and if anything has been imperfectly said; that may be
hereafter corrected by the help of Damon; whom you think to laugh down;
although you have never seen him; and with the help of others。 And when I
am satisfied myself; I will freely impart my satisfaction to you; for I
think that you are very much in want of knowledge。
LACHES: You are a philosopher; Nicias; of that I am aware: nevertheless I
would recommend Lysimachus and Melesias not to take you and me as advisers
about the education of their children; but; as I said at first; they should
ask Socrates and not let him off; if my own sons were old enough; I would
have asked him myself。
NICIAS: To that I quite agree; if Socrates is willing to take them under
his charge。 I should not wish for any one else to be the tutor of
Niceratus。 But I observe that when I mention the matter to him he
recommends to me some other tutor and refuses himself。 Perhaps he may be
more ready to listen to you; Lysimachus。
LYSIMACHUS: He ought; Nicias: for certainly I would do things for him
which I would not do for many others。 What do you say; Socrateswill you
comply? And are you ready to give assistance in the improvement of the
youths?
SOCRATES: Indeed; Lysimachus; I should be very wrong in refusing to aid in
the improvement of anybody。 And if I had shown in this conversation that I
had a knowledge which Nicias and Laches have not; then I admit that you
would be right in inviting me to perform this duty; but as we are all in
the same perplexity; why should one of us be preferred to another? I
certainly think that no one should; and under these circumstances; let me
offer you a piece of advice (and this need not go further than ourselves)。
I maintain; my friends; that every one of us should seek out the best
teacher whom he can find; first for ourselves; who are greatly in need of
one; and then for the youth; regardless of expense or anything。 But I
cannot advise that we remain as we are。 And if any one laughs at us for
going to school at our age; I would quote to them the authority of Homer;
who says; that
'Modesty is not good for a needy man。'
Let us then; regardless of what may be said of us; make the education of
the youths our own education。
LYSIMACHUS: I like your proposal; Socrates; and as I am the oldest; I am
also the most eager to go to school with the boys。 Let me beg a favour of
you: Come to my house to…morrow at dawn; and we will advise about these
matters。 For the present; let us make an end of the conversation。
SOCRATES: I will come to you to…morrow; Lysimachus; as you propose; God
willing。
End