The Meno by Plato. - HTML preview

52

Meno

SOCRATES: But if he did not acquire the knowl-SOCRATES: And I, Meno, like what I am saying.

edge in this life, then he must have had and Some things I have said of which I am not alto-learned it at some other time?

gether confident. But that we shall be better and MENO: Clearly he must.

braver and less helpless if we think that we ought SOCRATES: Which must have been the time when to enquire, than we should have been if we in-he was not a man?

dulged in the idle fancy that there was no know-MENO: Yes.

ing and no use in seeking to know what we do SOCRATES: And if there have been always true not know;—that is a theme upon which I am ready thoughts in him, both at the time when he was to fight, in word and deed, to the utmost of my and was not a man, which only need to be awak-power.

ened into knowledge by putting questions to him, MENO: There again, Socrates, your words seem his soul must have always possessed this knowl-to me excellent.

edge, for he always either was or was not a man?

SOCRATES: Then, as we are agreed that a man MENO: Obviously.

should enquire about that which he does not SOCRATES: And if the truth of all things always know, shall you and I make an effort to enquire existed in the soul, then the soul is immortal.

together into the nature of virtue?

Wherefore be of good cheer, and try to recollect MENO: By all means, Socrates. And yet I would what you do not know, or rather what you do not much rather return to my original question, remember.

Whether in seeking to acquire virtue we should MENO: I feel, somehow, that I like what you are regard it as a thing to be taught, or as a gift of saying.

nature, or as coming to men in some other way?