and this;[1] but (in what manner) to be wise, [2]or what wisdom is,[2] not one, as we just now observed, agrees at all with one of the many. Now therefore, besides all the previous kinds of wisdom, we have discovered one, by no means vile for this very purpose, that he, who has learnt what we have discussed, will seem to be wise; but whether he, who is skilled on these points, is wise and good, on this it is requisite to hold a discussion.
Clin. How reasonably, guest, did you say, that you are endeavouring to speak greatly about great things!
Athen. For they are not trifling things, Clinias; and, what is still more difficult, they are in every respect and entirely true.
Clin. Very much so, guest; [3]but do not however be faint-hearted in stating what you mean.[3]
Athen. Truly so; nor do you in hearing.
Clin. This shall be; for I will speak to you for both of us.
Athen. It is well. [5.] But it is necessary, as it seems, to speak first of all from the beginning, especially if we are able to comprehend in one name what is that, which we consider to be wisdom; but if we are quite unable, (to consider) in the second place, [4]what and how many are the (arts)[4] through which he, Who receives them, will, according to our story, be a wise man.
Clin. Say on.
Athen. What follows after this will be without blame to the legislator; who, making a conjecture about the gods, speaks more beautifully and better than those, who have spoken[5] before; and who passes his life in making use, as it were, of a beautiful discipline, and honouring the gods, and exalting them with hymns, and felicity,[6] and thus passes through life.
- ↑ The phrase in Greek, answering to "et cetera" in Latin and English, is not καὶ ταῦτα, but καὶ τοιαῦτα, as shown by Demosthenes perpetually; and so probably found Ficinus in his MS., for his version is "æteraque hujusmodi."
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Greek is ἤν τινα δὲ— It was, I suspect, originally, ἣ ἤν τινα δὴ— as I have translated.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Such is the literal version of the Greek. Ficinus, followed in part by Taylor, has "labori ne cedas, quin, ut cæpisti, progrediare."
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Greek is τίνες— καὶ ὁπόσαι τινες— But τινες I believe is never thus repeated. Ficinus, followed by Taylor, has, what the sense requires, "quænam et quot sunt artes," and hence his MS. probably read τέχναι for τινες—
- ↑ Three MSS. offer εἰρηκότων for εἰρημένων; and so found Ficinus in his, as Stephens elicited from his "quam prisci," adopted by Taylor.
- ↑ Ast vainly, I think, endeavours to explain the strange expression
