,,alcibiades ,,ii  by ,an ,imatator (   
,plato  7see ,app5dix ,,ii7  ,translat$ 
by ,b5jam9 ,j[ett     ,,app5dix ,,ii4   
,! two dialogues :i* are translat$ 9 !  
second app5dix are n m5tion$ by         
,ari/otle1 or by any e>ly au?ority1 & h 
no claim to be ascrib$ to ,plato4 ,!y   
are examples ( ,platonic dialogues to be
 assign$ probably to ! second or ?ird   
g5]ation aft] ,plato1 :5 8 writ+s 7 well
 kn[n at ,a!ns & ,alex&ria4 ,!y exhibit 
consid]able orig9ality1 & are rem>kable 
= conta9+ sev]al ?\ghts ( ! sort :i* we 
suppose to be mod]n r ?an anci5t1 & :i* 
!re=e h a peculi> int]e/ = u4 ,! ,second
 ,alcibiades %[s t ! difficulties ab\t  
pray] :i* h p]plex$ ,*ri/ian !ologians 7
 n unkn[n among ! foll[]s ( ,plato4 ,!  
,eryxias 0 d\bt$ by ! anci5ts !mselves3 
yet x may claim ! di/9ction ( be+1 among
 all ,greek or ,roman writ+s1 ! "o :i*  
anticipates 9 ! mo/ /rik+ mann] ! mod]n 
sci5ce ( political economy & gives an   
ab/ract =m to "s ( its pr9cipal         
doctr9es4  ,= ! translation ( ^! two    

dialogues ,i am indebt$ to my fri5d &   
secret>y1 ,mr4 ,knight4  ,t ! ,dialogue 
:i* goes by ! "n ( ! ,second ,alcibiades
 is a g5u9e writ+ ( ,plato w n be       
ma9ta9$ by any mod]n critic1 & 0 h>dly  
believ$ by ! anci5ts !mselves4 ,!       
dialectic is poor & weak4 ,!re is no p[]
 ov] language1 or beauty ( /yle2 & !re  
is a c]ta9 abruptness & agroikia 9 !    
conv]sation1 :i* is v un-,platonic4 ,!  
be/ passage is probably t ab\t !        
poets3--! rem>k t ! poet1 :o is ( a     
res]v$ disposition1 is uncommonly       
difficult to und]/&1 & ! ridicul\s      
int]pretation ( ,hom]1 are entirely 9 ! 
_s ( ,plato 7comp>e ,protag2 ,ion2      
,apol474 ,! *>act]s are ill-drawn4      
,socrates assumes ! 'sup]ior p]son' &   
prea*es too mu*1 :ile ,alcibiades is    
/upid & heavy-9-h&4 ,!re are traces (   
,/oic influ5ce 9 ! g5]al tone &         
phraseology ( ! ,dialogue 7comp>e opos  
melesei tis444kaka3 oti pas aphron      
ma9etai73 & ! writ] seems to h be5      
acqua9t$ ) ! ',laws' ( ,plato 7comp>e   

,laws74 ,an incid5t f ! ,symposium is r 
clumsily introduc$1 & two some:at       
hackney$ quotations 7,symp41 ,gorg47    
recur4 ,! ref]5ce to ! dea? ( ,ar*elaus 
z hav+ occurr$ 'q lately' is only a     
fiction1 probably sugge/$ by ! ,gorgias1
 :]e ! /ory ( ,ar*elaus is told1 & a    
simil> phrase occurs2--ta g> e*!s kai   
pro5 gegonota tauta1 k4t4l4 ,!re are    
sev]al passages :i* are ei!r corrupt or 
extremely ill-express$4 ,b !re is a     
mod]n int]e/ 9 ! subject ( ! dialogue2 &
 x is a good example ( a %ort spuri\s   
"w1 :i* may be attribut$ to ! second or 
?ird c5tury be=e ,*ri/4     ,,alcibiades
 ,,ii   ,,p]sons ,,( ,,! ,,dialogue3    
,socrates & ,alcibiades4    ,,socrates3 
,are y go+1 ,alcibiades1 to (f] pray] to
 ,zeus8  ,,alcibiades3 ,yes1 ,socrates1 
,i am4  ,,socrates3 y seem to be tr\bl$ 
& to ca/ y\r eyes on ! gr\nd1 z ?\gh y 7
 ?9k+ ab\t some?+4  ,,alcibiades3 ,( :at
 d y suppose t ,i am ?9k+8  ,,socrates3 
,( ! greate/ ( all ?+s1 z ,i believe4   
,tell me1 d y n suppose t ! ,gods       

sometimes p>tly grant & p>tly reject !  
reque/s :i* we make 9 public & private1 
& fav\r "s p]sons & n o!rs8             
,,alcibiades3 ,c]ta9ly4  ,,socrates3 ,d 
y n imag9e1 !n1 t a man ought to be v   
c>eful1 le/ p]*ance )\t kn[+ x he       
implore great evils = himself1 deem+ t  
he is ask+ = good1 especially if ! ,gods
 are 9 ! mood to grant :atev] he may    
reque/8 ,!re is ! /ory ( ,o$ipus1 =     
in/ance1 :o pray$ t 8 *ildr5 might      
divide _! inh]itance betwe5 !m by !     
sword3 he did n1 z he might h done1 beg 
t 8 pres5t evils might be av]t$1 b call$
 d[n new ones4 ,& 0 n 8 pray]           
accompli%$1 & did n _m & t]rible evils  
!nce arise1 ^u :i* ,i ne$ n dilate8     
,,alcibiades3 ,yes1 ,socrates1 b y are  
speak+ ( a madman3 surely y d n ?9k t   
any "o 9 8 s5ses w\ld v5ture to make su*
 a pray]8  ,,socrates3 ,madness1 !n1 y  
consid] to be ! opposite ( discretion8  
,,alcibiades3 ,( c\rse4  ,,socrates3 ,& 
"s m5 seem to y to be discreet1 & o!rs !
 contr>y8  ,,alcibiades3 ,!y d4         

,,socrates3 ,well1 !n1 let u discuss :o 
^! are4 ,we ackn[l$ge t "s are discreet1
 "s fooli%1 & t "s are mad8             
,,alcibiades3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,&     
aga91 !re are "s :o are 9 heal?8        
,,alcibiades3 ,!re are4  ,,socrates3    
,:ile o!rs are ail+8  ,,alcibiades3     
,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,& !y are n ! same8  
,,alcibiades3 ,c]ta9ly n4  ,,socrates3  
,nor are !re any :o are 9 nei!r /ate8   
,,alcibiades3 ,no4  ,,socrates3 ,a man  
mu/ ei!r be sick or be well8            
,,alcibiades3 ,t is my op9ion4          
,,socrates3 ,v good3 & d y ?9k ! same   
ab\t discretion & want ( discretion8    
,,alcibiades3 ,h[ d y mean8  ,,socrates3
 ,d y believe t a man mu/ be ei!r 9 or  
out ( 8 s5ses2 or is !re "s ?ird or     
int]m$iate condition1 9 :i* he is nei!r 
"o nor ! o!r8  ,,alcibiades3 ,decid$ly  
n4  ,,socrates3 ,he mu/ be ei!r sane or 
insane8  ,,alcibiades3 ,s ,i suppose4   
,,socrates3 ,did y n ackn[l$ge t madness
 0 ! opposite ( discretion8             
,,alcibiades3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,& t   

!re is no ?ird or middle t]m betwe5     
discretion & indiscretion8              
,,alcibiades3 ,true4  ,,socrates3 ,& !re
 _c be two opposites to "o ?+8          
,,alcibiades3 ,!re _c4  ,,socrates3 ,!n 
madness & want ( s5se are ! same8       
,,alcibiades3 ,t appe>s to be ! case4   
,,socrates3 ,we %all be 9 ! "r1 !re=e1  
,alcibiades1 if we say t all :o are     
s5seless are mad4 ,= example1 if among  
p]sons ( y\r own age or old] ?an y\rself
 !re are "s :o are s5seless1--z !re     
c]ta9ly are1--!y are mad4 ,= tell me1 by
 heav51 d y n ?9k t 9 ! city ! wise are 
few1 :ile ! fooli%1 :om y call mad1 are 
_m8  ,,alcibiades3 ,i d4  ,,socrates3 ,b
 h[ c\ld we live 9 safety ) s _m crazy  
p8 ,%\ld we n long s9ce h paid ! p5alty 
at _! h&s1 & h be5 /ruck & beat5 &      
endur$ e o!r =m ( ill-usage :i* madm5   
are wont to inflict8 ,consid]1 my de>   
fri5d3 may x n be q o!rwise8            
,,alcibiades3 ,:y1 ,socrates1 h[ is t   
possible8 ,i mu/ h be5 mi/ak54          
,,socrates3 ,s x seems to me4 ,b p]haps 

we may consid] ! matt] ?us3--           
,,alcibiades3 ,h[8  ,,socrates3 ,i w    
tell y4 ,we ?9k t "s are sick2 d we n8  
,,alcibiades3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,& mu/ 
e sick p]son ei!r h ! g\t1 or be 9 a    
fev]1 or suff] f oph?almia8 ,or d y     
believe t a man may lab\r "u "s o!r     
disease1 ev5 al?\gh he has none ( ^!    
compla9ts8 ,surely1 !y are n ! only     
maladies :i* exi/8  ,,alcibiades3       
,c]ta9ly n4  ,,socrates3 ,& is e k9d (  
oph?almia a disease8  ,,alcibiades3     
,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,& e disease         
oph?almia8  ,,alcibiades3 ,surely n4 ,b 
,i sc>cely und]/& :at ,i mean myself4   
,,socrates3 ,p]haps1 if y give me y\r   
be/ att5tion1 'two ( u' look+ toge!r1 we
 may f9d :at we seek4  ,,alcibiades3 ,i 
am att5d+1 ,socrates1 to ! be/ ( my p[]4
  ,,socrates3 ,we are agre$1 !n1 t e =m 
( oph?almia is a disease1 b n e disease 
oph?almia8  ,,alcibiades3 ,we are4      
,,socrates3 ,& s f> we seem to be "r4 ,=
 e "o :o suff]s f a fev] is sick2 b !   
sick1 ,i conceive1 d n all h fev] or g\t

 or oph?almia1 al?\gh ea* ( ^! is a     
disease1 :i*1 accord+ to ^? :om we call 
physicians1 may require a diff]5t       
treatm5t4 ,!y are n all alike1 nor d !y 
produce ! same result1 b ea* has its own
 effect1 & yet !y are all diseases4 ,may
 we n take an illu/ration f ! artizans8 
,,alcibiades3 ,c]ta9ly4  ,,socrates3    
,!re are cobbl]s & c>p5t]s & sculptors &
 o!rs ( all sorts & k9ds1 :om we ne$ n  
/op to enum]ate4 ,all h _! di/9ct       
employm5ts & all are workm51 al?\gh !y  
are n all ( !m cobbl]s or c>p5t]s or    
sculptors4  ,,alcibiades3 ,no1 inde$4   
,,socrates3 ,& 9 l mann] m5 diff] 9     
reg>d to want ( s5se4 ,^? :o are mo/ out
 ( _! wits we call 'madm51' :ile we t]m 
^? :o are less f> gone '/upid' or       
'idiotic1' or1 if we pref] g5tl]        
language1 describe !m z 'romantic' or   
'simple-m9d$1' or1 aga91 z 'innoc5t' or 
'inexp]i5c$' or 'fooli%4' ,y may ev5 f9d
 o!r names1 if y seek = !m2 b by all (  
!m lack ( s5se is int5d$4 ,!y only diff]
 z "o art appe>$ to u to diff] f ano!r  

or "o disease f ano!r4 ,or :at is y\r   
op9ion8  ,,alcibiades3 ,i agree ) y4    
,,socrates3 ,!n let u return to ! po9t  
at :i* we digress$4 ,we said at fir/ t  
we %\ld h to consid] :o 7 ! wise & :o ! 
fooli%4 ,= we ackn[l$g$ t !re are ^! two
 classes8 ,did we n8  ,,alcibiades3 ,to 
be sure4  ,,socrates3 ,& y reg>d ^? z   
s5sible :o "k :at ought to be done or   
said8  ,,alcibiades3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 
,! s5seless are ^? :o d n "k ?is8       
,,alcibiades3 ,true4  ,,socrates3 ,!    
latt] w say or d :at !y ought n )\t _!  
own k8  ,,alcibiades3 ,exactly4         
,,socrates3 ,o$ipus1 z ,i 0 say+1       
,alcibiades1 0 a p]son ( ?is sort4 ,&   
ev5 n[-a-days y w f9d _m :o 7h (f]$     
inauspici\s pray]s71 al?\gh1 unlike him1
 !y 7 n 9 ang] nor ?\ght t !y 7 ask+    
evil4 ,he nei!r s\ght1 nor suppos$ t he 
s\ght = good1 b o!rs h _h q ! contr>y   
notion4 ,i believe t if ! ,god :om y are
 ab\t to consult %\ld appe> to y1 &1 9  
anticipation ( y\r reque/1 enquir$ :e!r 
y w\ld be cont5t$ to become tyrant (    

,a!ns1 & if ?is seem$ 9 y\r eyes a small
 & mean ?+1 %\ld add to x ! dom9ion (   
all ,hellas2 & see+ t ev5 !n y w\ld n be
 satisfi$ unless y 7 rul] ( ! :ole (    
,europe1 %\ld promise1 n only t1 b1 if y
 s desir$1 %\ld proclaim to all mank9d 9
 "o & ! same day t ,alcibiades1 son (   
,cle9ias1 0 tyrant3--9 su* a case1 ,i   
imag9e1 y w\ld dep>t full ( joy1 z "o :o
 _h obta9$ ! greate/ ( goods4           
,,alcibiades3 ,& n only ,i1 ,socrates1 b
 any "o else :o %\ld meet ) su* luck4   
,,socrates3 ,yet y w\ld n accept !      
dom9ion & lord%ip ( all ! ,hell5es & all
 ! b>b>ians 9 ex*ange = y\r life8       
,,alcibiades3 ,c]ta9ly n3 = !n :at use  
c\ld ,i make ( !m8  ,,socrates3 ,& w\ld 
y accept !m if y 7 likely to use !m to a
 bad & mis*iev\s end8  ,,alcibiades3 ,i 
w\ld n4  ,,socrates3 ,y see t x is n    
safe = a man ei!r ra%ly to accept :atev]
 is (f]$ him1 or himself to reque/ a ?+1
 if he is likely to suff] !reby or      
imm$iately to lose 8 life4 ,& yet we    
c\ld tell ( _m :o1 hav+ long desir$ &   

dilig5tly lab\r$ to obta9 a tyranny1    
?9k+ t ?us !y w\ld procure an advantage1
 h nev]!less fall5 victims to design+   
enemies4 ,y mu/ h he>d ( :at happ5$ only
 ! o!r day1 h[ ,ar*elaus ( ,mac$onia 0  
sla9 by 8 belov$ 7comp>e ,ari/otle1     
,pol471 ^: love = ! tyranny 0 n less ?an
 t ( ,ar*elaus = him4 ,! tyrannicide    
expect$ by 8 crime to become tyrant &   
aft]w>ds to h a happy life2 b :5 he _h  
held ! tyranny ?ree or f\r days1 he 0 9 
8 turn conspir$ aga9/ & sla94 ,or look  
at c]ta9 ( our own citiz5s1--& ( _!     
actions we h be5 n he>]s1 b             
eyewitnesses1--:o h desir$ to obta9     
milit>y comm&3 ( ^? :o h ga9$ _! object1
 "s are ev5 to ?is day exiles f ! city1 
:ile o!rs h lo/ _! lives4 ,& ev5 !y :o  
seem to h f>$ be/1 h n only gone ?r\gh  
_m p]ils & t]rors dur+ _! (fice1 b aft] 
_! return home !y h be5 beset by in=m]s 
worse ?an !y once 7 by _! foes1 insomu* 
t sev]al ( !m h wi%$ t !y _h rema9$ 9 a 
private /ation r ?an h _h ! glories (   
comm&4 ,if1 inde$1 su* p]ils & t]rors 7 

( pr(it to ! commonweal?1 !re w\ld be   
reason 9 und]go+ !m2 b ! v contr>y is ! 
case4 ,aga91 y w f9d p]sons :o h pray$ =
 (fspr+1 & :5 _! pray]s 7 he>d1 h fall5 
into ! greate/ pa9s & suff]+s4 ,= "s h  
begott5 *ildr5 :o 7 utt]ly bad1 & h     
!re=e pass$ all _! days 9 mis]y1 :ile ! 
p>5ts ( good *ildr5 h und]gone !        
mis=tune ( los+ !m1 & h be5 s little    
happi] ?an ! o!rs t !y w\ld h pref]r$   
nev] to h _h *ildr5 r ?an to h _h !m &  
lo/ !m4 ,& yet1 al?\gh ^! & ! l examples
 are manife/ & kn[n ( all1 x is r>e to  
f9d any "o :o has refus$ :at has be5    
(f]$ him1 or1 if he 7 likely to ga9     
aught by pray]1 has refra9$ f mak+ 8    
petition4 ,! mass ( mank9d w\ld n decl9e
 to accept a tyranny1 or ! comm& ( an   
army1 or any ( ! num]\s ?+s :i* cause m 
h>m ?an good3 b r1 if !y _h !m n1 w\ld h
 pray$ to obta9 !m4 ,& (t5 9 a %ort     
space ( "t !y *ange _! tone1 & wi% _!   
old pray]s unsaid4 ,:]e=e also ,i       
suspect t m5 are entirely wrong :5 !y   
blame ! gods z ! au?ors ( ! ills :i*    

befall !m 7comp>e ,republic73 '_! own   
presumption1' or folly 7:i*ev] is ! "r  
^w7--  ',has br\ght ^! unmeasur$ woes ^u
 !m4' 7,hom]4 ,odyss47  ,he mu/ h be5 a 
wise poet1 ,alcibiades1 :o1 see+ z ,i   
believe1 8 fri5ds fooli%ly pray+ = & do+
 ?+s :i* w\ld n really pr(it !m1 (f]$ up
 a common pray] 9 behalf ( !m all3--    
',k+ ,zeus1 grant u good :e!r pray$ = or
 uns\ght by u2 ,b t :i* we ask amiss1 d 
?\ av]t4' 7,! au?or ( ^! l9es1 :i* are  
probably ( ,py?agorean orig91 is unkn[n4
 ,!y are f\nd also 9 ! ,an?ology 7,an?4 
,pal4747  ,9 my op9ion1 ,i say1 ! poet  
spoke bo? well & prud5tly2 b if y h     
any?+ to say 9 answ] to him1 speak out4 
,,alcibiades3 ,x is difficult1          
,socrates1 to oppose :at has be5 well   
said4 ,& ,i p]ceive h[ _m are ! ills (  
:i* ignorance is ! cause1 s9ce1 z w\ld  
appe>1 ?r\gh ignorance we n only d1 b   
:at is worse1 pray = ! greate/ evils4   
,no man w\ld imag9e t he w\ld d s2 he   
w\ld r suppose t he 0 q capable ( pray+ 
= :at 0 be/3 to call d[n evils seems m l

 a curse ?an a pray]4  ,,socrates3 ,b   
p]haps1 my good fri5d1 "s "o :o is wis] 
?an ei!r y or ,i w say t we h no "r to  
blame ignorance ?us ra%ly1 unless we c  
add :at ignorance we mean & ( :at1 &    
also to :om & h[ x is respectively a    
good or an evil8  ,,alcibiades3 ,h[ d y 
mean8 ,c ignorance possibly be bett] ?an
 k = any p]son 9 any conceivable case8  
,,socrates3 ,s ,i believe3--y d n ?9k s8
  ,,alcibiades3 ,c]ta9ly n4  ,,socrates3
 ,& yet surely ,i may n suppose t y w\ld
 ev] wi% to act t[>ds y\r "m z !y say t 
,ore/es & ,alcmeon & o!rs h done t[>ds  
_! p>5t4  ,,alcibiades3 ,good words1    
,socrates1 pri!e4  ,,socrates3 ,y ought 
n to bid him use auspici\s words1 :o    
says t y w\ld n be will+ to commit s    
horrible a de$1 b r him :o affirms !    
contr>y1 if ! act appe> to y unfit ev5  
to be m5tion$4 ,or d y ?9k t ,ore/es1 _h
 he be5 9 8 s5ses & knew :at 0 be/ = him
 to d1 w\ld ev] h d>$ to v5ture on su* a
 crime8  ,,alcibiades3 ,c]ta9ly n4      
,,socrates3 ,nor w\ld any "o else1 ,i   

fancy8  ,,alcibiades3 ,no4  ,,socrates3 
,t ignorance is bad !n1 x w\ld appe>1   
:i* is ( ! be/ & does n "k :at is be/8  
,,alcibiades3 ,s ,i ?9k1 at lea/4       
,,socrates3 ,& bo? to ! p]son :o is     
ignorant & ev]ybody else8  ,,alcibiades3
 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,let u take ano!r   
case4 ,suppose t y 7 sudd5ly to get into
 y\r head t x w\ld be a good ?+ to kill 
,p]icles1 y\r k9sman & gu>dian1 & 7 to  
seize a sword &1 go+ to ! doors ( 8     
h\se1 7 to enquire if he 7 at home1     
mean+ to slay only him & no "o else3--! 
s]vants reply1 ',yes'3 7,m9d1 ,i d n    
mean t y w\ld really d su* a ?+2 b !re  
is no?+1 y ?9k1 to prev5t a man :o is   
ignorant ( ! be/1 hav+ occasionally !   
:im t :at is wor/ is be/8  ,,alcibiades3
 ,no47  ,,socrates3--,if1 !n1 y w5t     
indoors1 & see+ him1 did n "k him1 b    
?\ght t he 0 "s "o else1 w\ld y v5ture  
to slay him8  ,,alcibiades3 ,mo/        
decid$ly n 7x seems to me74 7,^! words  
are omitt$ 9 sev]al ,,mss47  ,,socrates3
 ,= y design$ to kill1 n ! fir/ :o (f]$1

 b ,p]icles himself8  ,,alcibiades3     
,c]ta9ly4  ,,socrates3 ,& if y made _m  
attempts1 & ea* "t fail$ to recognize   
,p]icles1 y w\ld nev] attack him8       
,,alcibiades3 ,nev]4  ,,socrates3 ,well1
 b if ,ore/es 9 l mann] _h n kn[n 8 "m1 
d y ?9k t he w\ld ev] h laid h&s ^u h]8 
,,alcibiades3 ,no4  ,,socrates3 ,he did 
n int5d to slay ! fir/ woman he came    
across1 nor any "o else's "m1 b only 8  
own8  ,,alcibiades3 ,true4  ,,socrates3 
,ignorance1 !n1 is bett] = ^? :o are 9  
su* a frame ( m9d1 & h su* ideas8       
,,alcibiades3 ,obvi\sly4  ,,socrates3 ,y
 ackn[l$ge t = "s p]sons 9 c]ta9 cases !
 ignorance ( "s ?+s is a good & n an    
evil1 z y =m]ly suppos$8  ,,alcibiades3 
,i d4  ,,socrates3 ,& !re is /ill ano!r 
case :i* w also p]haps appe> /range to  
y1 if y w consid] x8 7,! read+ is "h    
unc]ta947  ,,alcibiades3 ,:at is t1     
,socrates8  ,,socrates3 ,x may be1 9    
%ort1 t ! possession ( all ! sci5ces1 if
 unaccompani$ by ! k ( ! be/1 w m (t5   
?an n injure ! possessor4 ,consid] !    

matt] ?us3--,mu/ we n1 :5 we int5d ei!r 
to d or say any?+1 suppose t we "k or   
ought to "k t :i* we propose s          
confid5tly to d or say8  ,,alcibiades3  
,yes1 9 my op9ion4  ,,socrates3 ,we may 
take ! orators = an example1 :o f "t to 
"t advise u ab\t w> & peace1 or ! build+
 ( walls & ! con/ruction ( h>b\rs1 :e!r 
!y und]/& ! bus9ess 9 h&1 or only ?9k t 
!y d4 ,:atev] ! city1 9 a ^w1 does to   
ano!r city1 or 9 ! managem5t ( h] own   
affairs1 all happ5s by ! c\nsel ( !     
orators4  ,,alcibiades3 ,true4          
,,socrates3 ,b n[ see :at foll[s1 if ,i 
c 7make x cle> to y74 7,"s words appe>  
to h dropp$ out "h47 ,y w\ld di/+ui% !  
wise f ! fooli%8  ,,alcibiades3 ,yes4   
,,socrates3 ,! _m are fooli%1 ! few     
wise8  ,,alcibiades3 ,c]ta9ly4          
,,socrates3 ,& y use bo? ! t]ms1 'wise' 
& 'fooli%1' 9 ref]5ce to some?+8        
,,alcibiades3 ,i d4  ,,socrates3 ,w\ld y
 call a p]son wise :o c give advice1 b  
does n "k :e!r or :5 x is bett] to c>ry 
out ! advice8  ,,alcibiades3 ,decid$ly  

n4  ,,socrates3 ,nor aga91 ,i suppose1 a
 p]son :o kn[s ! art ( w>1 b does n "k  
:e!r x is bett] to g to w> or = h[ long8
  ,,alcibiades3 ,no4  ,,socrates3 ,nor1 
once m1 a p]son :o kn[s h[ to kill ano!r
 or to take away 8 prop]ty or to drive  
him f 8 native l&1 b n :5 x is bett] to 
d s or = :om x is bett]8  ,,alcibiades3 
,c]ta9ly n4  ,,socrates3 ,b he :o       
und]/&s any?+ ( ! k9d & has at ! same "t
 ! k ( ! be/ c\rse ( action3--& ! be/ & 
! useful are surely ! same8--           
,,alcibiades3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3--,su*  
an "o1 ,i say1 we %\ld call wise & a    
useful advis] bo? ( himself & ( ! city4 
,:at d y ?9k8  ,,alcibiades3 ,i agree4  
,,socrates3 ,& if any "o kn[s h[ to ride
 or to %oot ) ! b[ or to box or to      
wre/le1 or to engage 9 any o!r sort (   
conte/ or to d any?+ :atev] :i* is 9 !  
nature ( an art1--:at d y call him :o   
kn[s :at is be/ accord+ to t art8 ,d y n
 speak ( "o :o kn[s :at is be/ 9 rid+ z 
a good rid]8  ,,alcibiades3 ,yes4       
,,socrates3 ,& 9 a simil> way y speak ( 

a good box] or a good flute-play] or a  
good p]=m] 9 any o!r art8  ,,alcibiades3
 ,true4  ,,socrates3 ,b is x necess>y t 
! man :o is clev] 9 any ( ^! arts %\ld  
be wise also 9 g5]al8 ,or is !re a      
diff]5ce betwe5 ! clev] arti/ & ! wise  
man8  ,,alcibiades3 ,all ! diff]5ce 9 ! 
_w4  ,,socrates3 ,& :at sort ( a /ate d 
y ?9k t w\ld be :i* 0 compos$ ( good    
ar*]s & flute-play]s & a?letes & ma/]s 9
 o!r arts1 & besides !m ( ^? o!rs ab\t  
:om we spoke1 :o knew h[ to g to w> & h[
 to kill1 z well z ( orators puff$ up ) 
political pride1 b 9 :i* n "o ( !m all  
_h ?is k ( ! be/1 & !re 0 no "o :o c\ld 
tell :5 x 0 bett] to apply any ( ^! arts
 or 9 reg>d to :om8  ,,alcibiades3 ,i   
%\ld call su* a /ate bad1 ,socrates4    
,,socrates3 ,y c]ta9ly w\ld :5 y saw ea*
 ( !m rivall+ ! o!r & e/eem+ t ( !      
greate/ importance 9 ! /ate1  ',:]e9 he 
himself mo/ excell$4' 7,euripides1      
,antiope47 --,i mean t :i* 0 be/ 9 any  
art1 :ile he 0 entirely ignorant ( :at 0
 be/ = himself & = ! /ate1 because1 z ,i

 ?9k1 he tru/s to op9ion :i* is devoid (
 intellig5ce4 ,9 su* a case %\ld we n be
 "r if we said t ! /ate w\ld be full (  
an>*y & lawlessness8  ,,alcibiades3     
,decid$ly4  ,,socrates3 ,b ought we n   
!n1 ?9k y1 ei!r to fancy t we "k or     
really to "k1 :at we confid5tly propose 
to d or say8  ,,alcibiades3 ,yes4       
,,socrates3 ,& if a p]son does t :i* he 
kn[s or supposes t he kn[s1 & ! result  
is b5eficial1 he w act advantage\sly bo?
 = himself & = ! /ate8  ,,alcibiades3   
,true4  ,,socrates3 ,& if he d !        
contr>y1 bo? he & ! /ate w suff]8       
,,alcibiades3 ,yes4  ,,socrates3 ,well1 
& are y ( ! same m9d1 z be=e8           
,,alcibiades3 ,i am4  ,,socrates3 ,b 7 y
 n say+ t y w\ld call ! _m unwise & !   
few wise8  ,,alcibiades3 ,i 04          
,,socrates3 ,& h we n come back to our  
old ass]tion t ! _m fail to obta9 ! be/ 
because !y tru/ to op9ion :i* is devoid 
( intellig5ce8  ,,alcibiades3 ,t is !   
case4  ,,socrates3 ,x is good1 !n1 = !  
_m1 if !y p>ticul>ly desire to d t :i*  

!y "k or suppose t !y "k1 nei!r to "k   
nor to suppose t !y "k1 9 cases :]e if  
!y c>ry out _! ideas 9 action !y w be   
los]s r ?an ga9]s8  ,,alcibiades3 ,:at y
 say is v true4  ,,socrates3 ,d y n see 
t ,i 0 really speak+ ! tru? :5 ,i       
affirm$ t ! possession ( any o!r k9d ( k
 0 m likely to injure ?an to b5efit !   
possessor1 unless he _h also ! k ( !    
be/8  ,,alcibiades3 ,i d n[1 if ,i did n
 be=e1 ,socrates4  ,,socrates3 ,! /ate  
or ! s\l1 !re=e1 :i* wi%es to h a "r    
exi/5ce mu/ hold firmly to ?is k1 j z ! 
sick man cl+s to ! physician1 or !      
pass5g] dep5ds = safety on ! pilot4 ,&  
if ! s\l does n set sail until %e h     
obta9$ ?is %e w be all ! saf] 9 ! voyage
 ?r\gh life4 ,b :5 %e ru%es 9 pursuit ( 
weal? or bodily /r5g? or any?+ else1 n  
hav+ ! k ( ! be/1 s mu* ! m is %e likely
 to meet ) mis=tune4 ,& he :o has ! love
 ( le>n+ 7,or1 read+ poluma!ian1        
'abundant le>n+4'71 & is skilful 9 _m   
arts1 & does n possess ! k ( ! be/1 b is
 "u "s o!r guidance1 w make1 z he       

des]ves1 a sorry voyage3--he w1 ,i      
believe1 hurry ?r\gh ! brief space (    
human life1 pilotless 9 mid-ocean1 & !  
words w apply to him 9 :i* ! poet blam$ 
8 enemy3--  '444,full _m a ?+ he knew2  
,b knew !m all badly4' 7,a fragm5t f !  
pseudo-,hom]ic poem1 ',m>gites4'7       
,,alcibiades3 ,h[ 9 ! _w1 ,socrates1 d !
 words ( ! poet apply to him8 ,!y seem  
to me to h no be>+ on ! po9t :atev]4    
,,socrates3 ,q ! contr>y1 my sweet      
fri5d3 only ! poet is talk+ 9 riddles   
aft] ! fa%ion ( 8 tribe4 ,= all poetry  
has by nature an enigmatical "*1 & x is 
by no means ev]ybody :o c int]pret x4 ,&
 if1 moreov]1 ! _s ( poetry happ5 to    
seize on a man :o is ( a begrudg+ temp] 
& does n c>e to manife/ 8 wisdom b keeps
 x to himself z f> z he c1 x does inde$ 
require an almo/ sup]human wisdom to    
discov] :at ! poet w\ld be at4 ,y surely
 d n suppose t ,hom]1 ! wise/ & mo/     
div9e ( poets1 0 unaw>e ( !             
impossibility ( kn[+ a ?+ badly3 = x 0  
no less a p]son ?an he :o said (        

,m>gites t 'he knew _m ?+s1 b knew !m   
all badly4' ,! solution ( ! riddle is   
?is1 ,i imag9e3--,by 'badly' ,hom] meant
 'bad' & 'knew' /&s = 'to "k4' ,put !   
words toge!r2--! metre w suff]1 b !     
poet's mean+ is cle>2--',m>gites knew   
all ^! ?+s1 b x 0 bad = him to "k !m4'  
,&1 obvi\sly1 if x 0 bad = him to "k s  
_m ?+s1 he mu/ h be5 a good-=-no?+1     
unless ! argum5t has play$ u false4     
,,alcibiades3 ,b ,i d n ?9k t x has1    
,socrates3 at lea/1 if ! argum5t is     
fallaci\s1 x w\ld be difficult = me to  
f9d ano!r :i* ,i c\ld tru/4  ,,socrates3
 ,& y are "r 9 ?9k+ s4  ,,alcibiades3   
,well1 t is my op9ion4  ,,socrates3 ,b  
tell me1 by ,heav53--y mu/ see n[ !     
nature & greatness ( ! difficulty 9 :i* 
y1 l o!rs1 h y\r "p4 ,= y *ange ab\t 9  
all directions1 & nev] come to re/      
any:]e3 :at y once mo/ /rongly incl9$ to
 suppose1 y put aside aga9 & q alt] y\r 
m9d4 ,if ! ,god to ^: %r9e y are go+    
%\ld appe> at ?is mom5t1 & ask be=e y   
made y\r pray]1 ',:e!r y w\ld desire to 

h "o ( ! ?+s :i* we m5tion$ at fir/1 or 
:e!r he %\ld leave y to make y\r own    
reque/3'--:at 9 ei!r case1 ?9k y1 w\ld  
be ! be/ way to take advantage ( !      
opportunity8  ,,alcibiades3 ,inde$1     
,socrates1 ,i c\ld n answ] y )\t        
consid]ation4 ,x seems to me to be a    
wild ?+ 7,! ,hom]ic ^w m>gos is said to 
be "h employ$ 9 allusion to ! quotation 
f ! ',m>gites' :i* ,socrates has j made2
 b x is n us$ 9 ! s5se :i* x has 9      
,hom]47 to make su* a reque/2 a man mu/ 
be v c>eful le/ he pray = evil "u ! idea
 t he is ask+ = good1 :5 %ortly aft] he 
may h to recall 8 pray]1 &1 z y 7 say+1 
dem& ! opposite ( :at he at fir/        
reque/$4  ,,socrates3 ,& 0 n ! poet ^:  
words ,i orig9ally quot$ wis] ?an we    
are1 :5 he bade u 7pray ,god7 to def5d u
 f evil ev5 ?\gh we ask$ = x8           
,,alcibiades3 ,i believe t y are "r4    
,,socrates3 ,! ,lac$aemonians1 too1 :e!r
 f admiration ( ! poet or because !y h  
discov]$ ! idea = !mselves1 are wont to 
(f] ! pray] alike 9 public & private1 t 

! ,gods w give unto !m ! beautiful z    
well z ! good3--no "o is likely to he>  
!m make any fur!r petition4 ,& yet up to
 ! pres5t "t !y h n be5 less =tunate ?an
 o!r m52 or if !y h sometimes met )     
mis=tune1 ! fault has n be5 due to _!   
pray]4 ,= surely1 z ,i conceive1 ! ,gods
 h p[] ei!r to grant our reque/s1 or to 
s5d u ! contr>y ( :at we ask4  ,& n[ ,i 
w relate to y a /ory :i* ,i h he>d f    
c]ta9 ( our eld]s4 ,x *anc$ t :5 !      
,a!nians & ,lac$aemonians 7 at w>1 our  
city lo/ e battle by l& & sea & nev]    
ga9$ a victory4 ,! ,a!nians be+ annoy$ &
 p]plex$ h[ to f9d a rem$y = _! tr\bles1
 decid$ to s5d & enquire at ! %r9e (    
,ammon4 ,_! envoys 7 also to ask1 ',:y !
 ,gods always grant$ ! victory to !     
,lac$aemonians8' ',we1' 7!y 7 to say17  
'(f] !m m & f9] sacrifices ?an any o!r  
,hell5ic /ate1 & adorn _! temples )     
gifts1 z nobody else does2 moreov]1 we  
make ! mo/ solemn & co/ly processions to
 !m e ye>1 & sp5d m money 9 _! s]vice   
?an all ! re/ ( ! ,hell5es put toge!r4  

,b ! ,lac$aemonians take no ?\ght ( su* 
matt]s1 & pay s little respect to !     
,gods t !y h a habit ( sacrific+ blemi%$
 animals to !m1 & 9 v>i\s ways are less 
zeal\s ?an we are1 al?\gh _! weal? is q 
equal to ours4' ,:5 !y _h ?us spok51 &  
_h made _! reque/ to "k :at rem$y !y    
c\ld f9d aga9/ ! evils :i* tr\bl$ !m1 ! 
prophet made no direct answ]1--cle>ly   
because he 0 n all[$ by ! ,god to d     
s2--b he summon$ !m to him & said3 ',?us
 sai? ,ammon to ! ,a!nians3 ,! sil5t    
wor%ip ( ! ,lac$aemonians please? me    
bett] ?an all ! (f]+s ( ! o!r ,hell5es4'
 ,su* 7 ! words ( ! ,god1 & no?+ m4 ,he 
seems to h meant by 'sil5t wor%ip' !    
pray] ( ! ,lac$aemonians1 :i* is inde$  
widely diff]5t f ! usual reque/s ( !    
,hell5es4 ,= !y ei!r br+ to ! alt> bulls
 ) gild$ horns or make (f]+s to ! ,gods1
 & beg at r&om = :at !y ne$1 good or    
bad4 ,:51 !re=e1 ! ,gods he> !m us+     
words ( ill om5 !y reject ^! co/ly      
processions & sacrifices ( !irs4 ,& we  
ought1 ,i ?9k1 to be v c>eful & consid] 

well :at we %\ld say & :at leave unsaid4
 ,hom]1 too1 w furni% u ) simil> /ories4
 ,= he tells u h[ ! ,trojans 9 mak+ _!  
encampm5t1  ',(f]$ up :ole hecatombs to 
! immortals1'  & h[ ! 'sweet sav\r' 0   
borne 'to ! heav5s by ! w9ds2       ',b 
! bless$ ,gods 7 av]se & receiv$ x n4   
,= exce$+ly did !y hate ! holy ,ilium1  
,bo? ,priam & ! p ( ! spe>-skill$ k+4'  
,s t x 0 9 va9 = !m to sacrifice & (f]  
gifts1 see+ t !y 7 hateful to ! ,gods1  
:o are n1 l vile usur]s1 to be ga9$ ov] 
by bribes4 ,& x is fooli% = u to boa/ t 
we are sup]ior to ! ,lac$aemonians by   
reason ( our mu* wor%ip4 ,! idea is     
inconceivable t ! ,gods h reg>d1 n to ! 
ju/ice & purity ( our s\ls1 b to co/ly  
processions & sacrifices1 :i* m5 may    
celebrate ye> aft] ye>1 al?\gh !y h     
committ$ innum]able crimes aga9/ ! ,gods
 or aga9/ _! fell[-m5 or ! /ate4 ,= !   
,gods1 z ,ammon & 8 prophet decl>e1 are 
no receiv]s ( gifts1 & !y scorn su*     
unwor?y s]vice4 ,:]e=e also x w\ld seem 
t wisdom & ju/ice are especially hon\r$ 

bo? by ! ,gods & by m5 ( s5se2 & !y are 
! wise/ & mo/ j :o "k h[ to speak & act 
t[>ds ,gods & m54 ,b ,i %\ld l to he>   
:at y\r op9ion is ab\t ^! matt]s4       
,,alcibiades3 ,i agree1 ,socrates1 ) y &
 ) ! ,god1 :om1 inde$1 x w\ld be        
unbecom+ = me to oppose4  ,,socrates3 ,d
 y n rememb] say+ t y 7 9 great         
p]plexity1 le/ p]*ance y %\ld ask =     
evil1 suppos+ t y 7 ask+ = good8        
,,alcibiades3 ,i d4  ,,socrates3 ,y see1
 !n1 t !re is a risk 9 y\r approa*+ !   
,god 9 pray]1 le/ haply he %\ld refuse  
y\r sacrifice :5 he he>s ! blasphemy :i*
 y utt]1 & make y p>take ( o!r evils z  
well4 ,! wise/ plan1 !re=e1 seems to me 
t y %\ld keep sil5ce2 = y\r             
'highm9d$ness'--to use ! milde/ t]m :i* 
m5 apply to folly--w mo/ likely prev5t y
 f us+ ! pray] ( ! ,lac$aemonians4 ,y _h
 bett] wait until we f9d out h[ we %\ld 
behave t[>ds ! ,gods & t[>ds m54        
,,alcibiades3 ,& h[ long mu/ ,i wait1   
,socrates1 & :o w be my tea*]8 ,i %\ld  
be v glad to see ! man4  ,,socrates3 ,x 

is he :o takes an especial int]e/ 9 y4  
,b fir/ ( all1 ,i ?9k1 ! d>kness mu/ be 
tak5 away 9 :i* y\r s\l is n[ envelop$1 
j z ,a!ne 9 ,hom] removes ! mi/ f ! eyes
 ( ,diom$e t  ',he may di/+ui% betwe5   
,god & mortal man4'  ,aft]w>ds ! means  
may be giv5 to y :]eby y may di/+ui%    
betwe5 good & evil4 ,at pres5t1 ,i fe>1 
?is is beyond y\r p[]4  ,,alcibiades3   
,only let my in/ructor take away !      
imp$im5t1 :e!r x pleases him to call x  
mi/ or any?+ else6 ,i c>e n :o he is2 b 
,i am resolv$ to disobey none ( 8       
comm&s1 if ,i am likely to be ! bett] = 
!m4  ,,socrates3 ,& surely he has a     
wondr\s c>e = y4  ,,alcibiades3 ,x seems
 to be altoge!r advisable to put (f !   
sacrifice until he is f\nd4  ,,socrates3
 ,y are "r3 t w be saf] ?an runn+ su* a 
trem5d\s risk4  ,,alcibiades3 ,b h[ %all
 we manage1 ,socrates8--,at any rate ,i 
w set ?is cr[n ( m9e ^u y\r head1 z y h 
giv5 me su* excell5t advice1 & to !     
,gods we w (f] cr[ns & p]=m ! o!r       
cu/om>y rites :5 ,i see t day approa*+3 

nor w x be long h5ce1 if !y s w4        
,,socrates3 ,i accept y\r gift1 & %all  
be ready & will+ to receive :atev] else 
y may pr(f]4 ,euripides makes ,creon say
 9 ! play1 :5 he beholds ,teiresias ) 8 
cr[n & he>s t he has ga9$ x by 8 skill z
 ! fir/-fruits ( ! spoil3--  ',an       
auspici\s om5 ,i deem ?y victor's wrea?3
 ,= well ?\ kn[e/ t wave & /orm oppress 
u4'  ,& s ,i c\nt y\r gift to be a tok5 
( good-=tune2 = ,i am 9 no less /ress   
?an ,creon1 & w\ld fa9 c>ry (f ! victory
 ov] y\r lov]s4