The Dialogues of Plato (Jowett)/Protagoras

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Protagoras Introduction

The Dialogues of Plato
by Plato

Protagoras translated by Benjamin Jowett

Euthydemus Introduction

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3748154The Dialogues of Plato — ProtagorasPlato

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PROTAGORAS.

PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE.

Socrates, who is the narrator of
the Dialogue to his Companion.

Hippocrates.

Protagoras,	$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$ Sophists.
Prodicus,
Hippias,

Alcibiades.

Callias, a wealthy Athenian.

Critias.

Scene:—The House of Callias.

^{Steph. 309}

Protagoras.
Companion, Socrates.

The fair Alcibiades.

COMPANION. Where do you come from, Socrates? And yet I need hardly ask the question, for I know that you have been compan in chase of the fair Alcibiades. I saw him the day before yesterday ; and he had got a beard like a man,—and he is a man, as I may tell you in your ear. But I thought that he was still very charming.

Socrates. What of his beard ? Are you not of Homer's opinion, who says^[1]

'Youth is most charming when the beard first appears'?

And that is now the charm of Alcibiades.

Com. Well, and how do matters proceed ? Have you been visiting him, and was he gracious to you ?

Soc. Yes, I thought that he was very gracious ; and espe- cially to-day, for I have just come from him, and he has been helping me in an argument. But shall I tell you a strange thing ? I paid no attention to him, and several times I quite forgot that he was present.

Com. What is the meaning of this? Has anything hap- pened between you and him ? For surely you cannot have discovered a fairer love than he is ; certainly not in this city of Athens.

But there is a fairer still. Soc. Yes, much fairer.

Com. What do you mean—a citizen or a foreigner?

Protagoras.
Socrates, Companion, Hippocrates. Soc. A foreigner.

Com. Of what country ?

Soc. Of Abdera.

Com. And is tliis stranger really in your opinion a fairer love than the son of Cleinias ?

The fairer is the wiser, and the wisest of all men is Protagoras. Soc. And is not the wiser always the fairer, sweet friend ?

Com. But have you really met, Socrates, with some wise one?

Soc. Say rather, with the wisest of all living men, if you are willing to accord that title to Protagoras.

Com. What ! Is Protagoras in Athens ?

Soc. Yes ; he has been here two days.

Com. And do you just come from an interview with him ?

Soc. Yes; and I have heard and said many things. ³¹⁰

Com. Then, if you have no engagement, suppose that you sit down and tell me what passed, and my attendant here shall give up his place to you.

Soc. To be sure ; and I shall be grateful to you for listening.

Com. Thank you, too, for telling us.

Soc. That is thank you twice over. Listen then:—

He is actually in Athens, and Hippocrates has come to bring the good news to Socrates. Last night, or rather very early this morning, Hippocrates, the son of Apollodorus and the brother of Phason, gave a tremendous thump with his staff at my door ; some one opened to him, and he came rushing in and bawled out : Socrates, are you awake or asleep ?

I knew his voice, and said : Hippocrates, is that you ? and do you bring any news ?

Good news, he said ; nothing but good.

Delightful, I said ; but what is the news ? and why have you come hither at this unearthly hour ?

He drew nearer to me and said : Protagoras is come.

Yes, I replied ; he came two days ago : have you only just heard of his arrival ?

Yes, by the gods, he said ; but not until yesterday evening.

Footnotes

↑ Il. xxiv. 348.

[1] Il. xxiv. 348.

[1]