The Gorgias by Plato. - HTML preview

94

Platos Gorgias

POLUS: That is evident.

POLUS: That is evident.

SOCRATES: Then you would agree generally to the uni-SOCRATES: And that which is just has been admitted to versal proposition which I was just now asserting: that the be honourable?

affection of the patient answers to the affection of the agent?

POLUS: Certainly.

POLUS: I agree.

SOCRATES: Then the punisher does what is honourable, SOCRATES: Then, as this is admitted, let me ask whether and the punished suffers what is honourable?

being punished is suffering or acting?

POLUS: True.

POLUS: Suffering, Socrates; there can be no doubt of that.

SOCRATES: And if what is honourable, then what is good, SOCRATES: And suffering implies an agent?

for the honourable is either pleasant or useful?

POLUS: Certainly, Socrates; and he is the punisher.

POLUS: Certainly.

SOCRATES: And he who punishes rightly, punishes justly?

SOCRATES: Then he who is punished suffers what is good?

POLUS: Yes.

POLUS: That is true.

SOCRATES: And therefore he acts justly?

SOCRATES: Then he is benefited?

POLUS: Justly.

POLUS: Yes.

SOCRATES: Then he who is punished and suffers retribution, suffers justly?

SOCRATES: Do I understand you to mean what I mean 95

Platos Gorgias

by the term benefited? I mean, that if he be justly pun-rance and cowardice, and the like?

ished his soul is improved.

POLUS: Certainly.

POLUS: Surely.

SOCRATES: So then, in mind, body, and estate, which SOCRATES: Then he who is punished is delivered from are three, you have pointed out three corresponding evils

the evil of his soul?

injustice, disease, poverty?

POLUS: Yes.

POLUS: True.

SOCRATES: And is he not then delivered from the great-SOCRATES: And which of the evils is the most disgrace-est evil? Look at the matter in this way:In respect of a ful?Is not the most disgraceful of them injustice, and in mans estate, do you see any greater evil than poverty?

general the evil of the soul?

POLUS: There is no greater evil.

POLUS: By far the most.

SOCRATES: Again, in a mans bodily frame, you would SOCRATES: And if the most disgraceful, then also the worst?

say that the evil is weakness and disease and deformity?

POLUS: What do you mean, Socrates?

POLUS: I should.

SOCRATES: I mean to say, that is most disgraceful has SOCRATES: And do you not imagine that the soul like-been already admitted to be most painful or hurtful, or both.

wise has some evil of her own?

POLUS: Certainly.

POLUS: Of course.

SOCRATES: And now injustice and all evil in the soul has SOCRATES: And this you would call injustice and igno-been admitted by us to be most disgraceful?