The Gorgias by Plato. - HTML preview

61

Platos Gorgias

SOCRATES: I should wish to do so.

rician, and a maker of rhetoricians, let me ask you, with what is rhetoric concerned: I might ask with what is weav-GORGIAS: Then pray do.

ing concerned, and you would reply (would you not?), with the making of garments?

SOCRATES: And are we to say that you are able to make other men rhetoricians?

GORGIAS: Yes.

GORGIAS: Yes, that is exactly what I profess to make them, SOCRATES: And music is concerned with the composi-not only at Athens, but in all places.

tion of melodies?

SOCRATES: And will you continue to ask and answer GORGIAS: It is.

questions, Gorgias, as we are at present doing, and reserve for another occasion the longer mode of speech which Polus SOCRATES: By Here, Gorgias, I admire the surpassing was attempting? Will you keep your promise, and answer brevity of your answers.

shortly the questions which are asked of you?

GORGIAS: Yes, Socrates, I do think myself good at that.

GORGIAS: Some answers, Socrates, are of necessity longer; but I will do my best to make them as short as possible; for SOCRATES: I am glad to hear it; answer me in like mana part of my profession is that I can be as short as any one.

ner about rhetoric: with what is rhetoric concerned?

SOCRATES: That is what is wanted, Gorgias; exhibit the GORGIAS: With discourse.

shorter method now, and the longer one at some other time.

SOCRATES: What sort of discourse, Gorgias?such dis-GORGIAS: Well, I will; and you will certainly say, that you course as would teach the sick under what treatment they never heard a man use fewer words.

might get well?

SOCRATES: Very good then; as you profess to be a rheto-GORGIAS: No.