Charmides by Plato. - HTML preview

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of the King Archon.

Then sit down, and tell us the whole story, which as yet we have only heard imperfectly.

YESTERDAY EVENING I returned from the army at Potidaea, I took the place which he assigned to me, by the side of and having been a good while away, I thought that I should Critias the son of Callaeschrus, and when I had saluted like to go and look at my old haunts. So I went into the him and the rest of the company, I told them the news palaestra of Taureas, which is over against the temple ad-from the army, and answered their several enquiries.

joining the porch of the King Archon, and there I found a Then, when there had been enough of this, I, in my turn, 3

“Charmides” – Plato

began to make enquiries about matters at home—about Now you know, my friend, that I cannot measure any-the present state of philosophy, and about the youth. I asked thing, and of the beautiful, I am simply such a measure as whether any of them were remarkable for wisdom or beauty, a white line is of chalk; for almost all young persons appear or both. Critias, glancing at the door, invited my attention to be beautiful in my eyes. But at that moment, when I to some youths who were coming in, and talking noisily to saw him coming in, I confess that I was quite astonished at one another, followed by a crowd. Of the beauties, Socrates, his beauty and stature; all the world seemed to be he said, I fancy that you will soon be able to form a judg-enamoured of him; amazement and confusion reigned when ment. For those who are just entering are the advanced he entered; and a troop of lovers followed him. That grown-guard of the great beauty, as he is thought to be, of the day, up men like ourselves should have been affected in this and he is likely to be not far off himself.

way was not surprising, but I observed that there was the Who is he, I said; and who is his father?

same feeling among the boys; all of them, down to the very Charmides, he replied, is his name; he is my cousin, and least child, turned and looked at him, as if he had been a the son of my uncle Glaucon: I rather think that you know statue.

him too, although he was not grown up at the time of your Chaerephon called me and said: What do you think of departure.

him, Socrates? Has he not a beautiful face?

Certainly, I know him, I said, for he was remarkable even Most beautiful, I said.

then when he was still a child, and I should imagine that But you would think nothing of his face, he replied, if by this time he must be almost a young man.

you could see his naked form: he is absolutely perfect.

You will see, he said, in a moment what progress he has And to this they all agreed.

made and what he is like. He had scarcely said the word, By Heracles, I said, there never was such a paragon, if he when Charmides entered.

has only one other slight addition.

4

“Charmides” – Plato

What is that? said Critias.

dressing me, he added: He has been complaining lately of If he has a noble soul; and being of your house, Critias, having a headache when he rises in the morning: now why he may be expected to have this.

should you not make him believe that you know a cure for He is as fair and good within, as he is without, replied the headache?