Euth. Yes, and things still more wonderful than these, Socrates, of which the multitude are ignorant.
Soc. Do you therefore think that the gods in reality wage war with each other, and that there are among them dire enmities and battles, and many other such like particulars as are related by the poets, with the representation of which by good painters our temples are decorated ; and in the great Panathenaeae a veil [1] full of such like variegated ornaments is carried into the Acropolis. Must we say, O Euthyphro, that these things are true ?
Euth. Not these only, O Socrates ; but, as I just now said, I can relate to you many other things concerning divine affairs if you are willing, which when you hear I well know that you will be astonished.
Soc. I should not wonder; but you may relate these things to me here after, when you are at leisure. Now, however, endeavour to tell me more clearly that which I just now asked. For you have not yet, my friend, sufficiently answered my question what holiness is, but you have only told me that this which you are now doing is holy, viz. to prosecute your father for murder.
Euth. And I spoke the truth, Socrates.
Soc. Perhaps so. But, O Euthyphro, do you not also say that many other things are holy?
Euth. I do.
Soc. Recollect, therefore, that I did not request you to teach me one or two from among many holy things, but what that form itself is by which all holy things are holy. For you have said that things unholy are unholy by one idea ; and also that things holy are holy by another. Or do you not remember ?
Euth. I do.
Soc. Teach me, therefore, what this very idea is, that looking to it, and using it as a paradigm, I may say that whatever thing of this kind you or any other does is holy, and that whatever is not of this kind is unholy.
Euth. But if you wish it, Socrates, I will also tell you this.
Soc. I do wish it.
- ↑ For the explanation of this veil, see the Additional Notes on the Republic, vol. i. p. 520.
