byaPlatonicImitator（seeAppendixII）
TranslatedbyBenjaminJowettAPPENDIXII。
ThetwodialogueswhicharetranslatedinthesecondappendixarenotmentionedbyAristotle，orbyanyearlyauthority，andhavenoclaimtobeascribedtoPlato。TheyareexamplesofPlatonicdialoguestobeassignedprobablytothesecondorthirdgenerationafterPlato，whenhiswritingswerewellknownatAthensandAlexandria。Theyexhibitconsiderableoriginality，andareremarkableforcontainingseveralthoughtsofthesortwhichwesupposetobemodernratherthanancient，andwhichthereforehaveapeculiarinterestforus。TheSecondAlcibiadesshowsthatthedifficultiesaboutprayerwhichhaveperplexedChristiantheologianswerenotunknownamongthefollowersofPlato。TheEryxiaswasdoubtedbytheancientsthemselves:yetitmayclaimthedistinctionofbeing，amongallGreekorRomanwritings，theonewhichanticipatesinthemoststrikingmannerthemodernscienceofpoliticaleconomyandgivesanabstractformtosomeofitsprincipaldoctrines。
ForthetranslationofthesetwodialoguesIamindebtedtomyfriendandsecretary，Mr。Knight。
ThattheDialoguewhichgoesbythenameoftheSecondAlcibiadesisagenuinewritingofPlatowillnotbemaintainedbyanymoderncritic，andwashardlybelievedbytheancientsthemselves。Thedialecticispoorandweak。Thereisnopoweroverlanguage，orbeautyofstyle；andthereisacertainabruptnessandagroikiaintheconversation，whichisveryun—
Platonic。Thebestpassageisprobablythataboutthepoets:——theremarkthatthepoet，whoisofareserveddisposition，isuncommonlydifficulttounderstand，andtheridiculousinterpretationofHomer，areentirelyinthespiritofPlato（compareProtag；Ion；Apol。）。Thecharactersareill—
drawn。Socratesassumesthe’superiorperson’andpreachestoomuch，whileAlcibiadesisstupidandheavy—in—hand。TherearetracesofStoicinfluenceinthegeneraltoneandphraseologyoftheDialogue（compareoposmeleseitis……kaka:otipasaphronmainetai）:andthewriterseemstohavebeenacquaintedwiththe’Laws’ofPlato（compareLaws）。AnincidentfromtheSymposiumisratherclumsilyintroduced，andtwosomewhathackneyedquotations（Symp。，Gorg。）recur。ThereferencetothedeathofArchelausashavingoccurred’quitelately’isonlyafiction，probablysuggestedbytheGorgias，wherethestoryofArchelausistold，andasimilarphraseoccurs；——tagarechtheskaiproengegonotatauta，k。t。l。
Thereareseveralpassageswhichareeithercorruptorextremelyill—
expressed。Butthereisamoderninterestinthesubjectofthedialogue；
anditisagoodexampleofashortspuriouswork，whichmaybeattributedtothesecondorthirdcenturybeforeChrist。
ERYXIAS
byPlatonicImitator（seeAppendixIIabove）
TranslatedbyBenjaminJowettINTRODUCTION。
MuchcannotbesaidinpraiseofthestyleorconceptionoftheEryxias。
Itisfrequentlyobscure；liketheexerciseofastudent，itisfullofsmallimitationsofPlato:——PhaeaxreturningfromanexpeditiontoSicily（compareSocratesintheCharmidesfromthearmyatPotidaea），thefigureofthegameatdraughts，borrowedfromtheRepublic，etc。Ithasalsoinmanypassagestheringofsophistry。Ontheotherhand，theratherunhandsometreatmentwhichisexhibitedtowardsProdicusisquiteunliketheurbanityofPlato。
Yettherearesomepointsintheargumentwhicharedeservingofattention。
（1）Thatwealthdependsupontheneedofitordemandforit，isthefirstanticipationinanabstractformofoneofthegreatprinciplesofmodernpoliticaleconomy，andthenearestapproachtoittobefoundinanancientwriter。（2）Theresolutionofwealthintoitssimplestimplementsgoingontoinfinityisasubtleandrefinedthought。（3）Thatwealthisrelativetocircumstancesisasoundconception。（4）Thattheartsandscienceswhichreceivepaymentarelikewisetobecomprehendedunderthenotionofwealth，alsotouchesaquestionofmodernpoliticaleconomy。（5）Thedistinctionofposthocandpropterhoc，oftenlostsightofinmodernaswellasinancienttimes。Thesemetaphysicalconceptionsanddistinctionsshowconsiderablepowerofthoughtinthewriter，whateverwemaythinkofhismeritsasanimitatorofPlato。
ERYXIAS
byPlatonicImitator（seeAppendixIIabove）
TranslatedbyBenjaminJowettPERSONSOFTHEDIALOGUE:Socrates，Eryxias，Erasistratus，Critias。
SCENE:TheporticoofatempleofZeus。
IthappenedbychancethatEryxiastheSteirianwaswalkingwithmeinthePorticoofZeustheDeliverer，whentherecameuptousCritiasandErasistratus，thelatterthesonofPhaeax，whowasthenephewofErasistratus。NowErasistratushadjustarrivedfromSicilyandthatpartoftheworld。Astheyapproached，hesaid，Hail，Socrates！
SOCRATES:Thesametoyou，Isaid；haveyouanygoodnewsfromSicilytotellus？
ERASISTRATUS:Mostexcellent。But，ifyouplease，letusfirstsitdown；
forIamtiredwithmyyesterday’sjourneyfromMegara。
SOCRATES:Gladly，ifthatisyourdesire。
ERASISTRATUS:Whatwouldyouwishtohearfirst？hesaid。WhattheSiciliansaredoing，orhowtheyaredisposedtowardsourcity？Tomymind，theyareverylikewasps:solongasyouonlycausethemalittleannoyancetheyarequiteunmanageable；youmustdestroytheirnestsifyouwishtogetthebetterofthem。Andinasimilarway，theSyracusans，unlesswesettoworkinearnest，andgoagainstthemwithagreatexpedition，willneversubmittoourrule。Thepettyinjurieswhichweatpresentinflictmerelyirritatethemenoughtomakethemutterlyintractable。AndnowtheyhavesentambassadorstoAthens，andintend，I
suspect，toplayussometrick。——Whileweweretalking，theSyracusanenvoyschancedtogoby，andErasistratus，pointingtooneofthem，saidtome，That，Socrates，istherichestmaninallItalyandSicily。Forwhohaslargerestatesormorelandathisdisposaltocultivateifheplease？
Andtheyareofaquality，too，finerthananyotherlandinHellas。
Moreover，hehasallthethingswhichgotomakeupwealth，slavesandhorsesinnumerable，goldandsilverwithoutend。
Isawthathewasinclinedtoexpatiateontherichesoftheman；soI
askedhim，Well，Erasistratus，andwhatsortofcharacterdoeshebearinSicily？
ERASISTRATUS:Heisesteemedtobe，andreallyis，thewickedestofalltheSiciliansandItalians，andevenmorewickedthanheisrich；indeed，ifyouweretoaskanySicilianwhomhethoughttobetheworstandtherichestofmankind，youwouldneverhearanyoneelsenamed。
Ireflectedthatwewerespeaking，notoftrivialmatters，butaboutwealthandvirtue，whicharedeemedtobeofthegreatestmoment，andIaskedErasistratuswhomheconsideredthewealthier，——hewhowasthepossessorofatalentofsilverorhewhohadafieldworthtwotalents？
ERASISTRATUS:Theownerofthefield。
SOCRATES:Andonthesameprinciplehewhohadrobesandbeddingandsuchthingswhichareofgreatervaluetohimthantoastrangerwouldbericherthanthestranger？
ERASISTRATUS:True。
SOCRATES:Andifanyonegaveyouachoice，whichofthesewouldyouprefer？
ERASISTRATUS:Thatwhichwasmostvaluable。
SOCRATES:Inwhichwaydoyouthinkyouwouldbethericher？
ERASISTRATUS:BychoosingasIsaid。
SOCRATES:Andheappearstoyoutobetherichestwhohasgoodsofthegreatestvalue？
ERASISTRATUS:Hedoes。
SOCRATES:Andarenotthehealthyricherthanthesick，sincehealthisapossessionmorevaluablethanrichestothesick？Surelythereisnoonewhowouldnotprefertobepoorandwell，ratherthantohavealltheKingofPersia’swealthandtobeill。Andthisprovesthatmensethealthabovewealth，elsetheywouldneverchoosetheoneinpreferencetotheother。
ERASISTRATUS:True。
SOCRATES:Andifanythingappearedtobemorevaluablethanhealth，hewouldbetherichestwhopossessedit？
ERASISTRATUS:Hewould。
SOCRATES:Supposethatsomeonecametousatthismomentandweretoask，Well，SocratesandEryxiasandErasistratus，canyoutellmewhatisofthegreatestvaluetomen？Isitnotthatofwhichthepossessionwillbestenableamantoadvisehowhisownandhisfriend’saffairsshouldbeadministered？——Whatwillbeourreply？
ERASISTRATUS:Ishouldsay，Socrates，thathappinesswasthemostpreciousofhumanpossessions。
SOCRATES:Notabadanswer。Butdowenotdeemthosemenwhoaremostprosperoustobethehappiest？
ERASISTRATUS:Thatismyopinion。
SOCRATES:Andaretheynotmostprosperouswhocommitthefewesterrorsinrespecteitherofthemselvesorofothermen？
ERASISTRATUS:Certainly。
SOCRATES:Andtheywhoknowwhatisevilandwhatisgood；whatshouldbedoneandwhatshouldbeleftundone；——thesebehavethemostwiselyandmakethefewestmistakes？
Erasistratusagreedtothis。
SOCRATES:Thenthewisestandthosewhodobestandthemostfortunateandtherichestwouldappeartobealloneandthesame，ifwisdomisreallythemostvaluableofourpossessions？
Yes，saidEryxias，interposing，butwhatusewoulditbeifamanhadthewisdomofNestorandwantedthenecessariesoflife，foodanddrinkandclothesandthelike？Wherewouldbetheadvantageofwisdomthen？Orhowcouldhebetherichestofmenwhomightevenhavetogobegging，becausehehadnotwherewithaltolive？
IthoughtthatwhatEryxiaswassayinghadsomeweight，andIreplied，Wouldthewisemanreallysufferinthisway，ifheweresoill—provided；
whereasifhehadthehouseofPolytion，andthehousewerefullofgoldandsilver，hewouldlacknothing？
ERYXIAS:Yes；forthenhemightdisposeofhispropertyandobtaininexchangewhatheneeded，orhemightsellitformoneywithwhichhecouldsupplyhiswantsandinamomentprocureabundanceofeverything。
SOCRATES:True，ifhecouldfindsomeonewhopreferredsuchahousetothewisdomofNestor。ButiftherearepersonswhosetgreatstorebywisdomlikeNestor’sandtheadvantagesaccruingfromit，tosellthese，ifheweresodisposed，wouldbeeasierstill。Orisahouseamostusefulandnecessarypossession，anddoesitmakeagreatdifferenceinthecomfortoflifetohaveamansionlikePolytion’sinsteadoflivinginashabbylittlecottage，whereaswisdomisofsmalluseanditisofnoimportancewhetheramaniswiseorignorantaboutthehighestmatters？Oriswisdomdespisedofmenandcanfindnobuyers，althoughcypresswoodandmarbleofPentelicusareeagerlyboughtbynumerouspurchasers？Surelytheprudentpilotortheskilfulphysician，ortheartistofanykindwhoisproficientinhisart，ismoreworththanthethingswhichareespeciallyreckonedamongriches；andhewhocanadvisewellandprudentlyforhimselfandothersisablealsotoselltheproductofhisart，ifhesodesire。
Eryxiaslookedaskance，asifhehadreceivedsomeunfairtreatment，andsaid，Ibelieve，Socrates，thatifyouwereforcedtospeakthetruth，youwoulddeclarethatyouwerericherthanCalliasthesonofHipponicus。Andyet，althoughyouclaimedtobewiseraboutthingsofrealimportance，youwouldnotanythemorebericherthanhe。
Idaresay，Eryxias，Isaid，thatyoumayregardtheseargumentsofoursasakindofgame；youthinkthattheyhavenorelationtofacts，butarelikethepiecesinthegameofdraughtswhichtheplayercanmoveinsuchawaythathisopponentsareunabletomakeanycountermove。（CompareRepublic。）
Andperhaps，too，asregardsrichesyouareofopinionthatwhilefactsremainthesame，therearearguments，nomatterwhethertrueorfalse，whichenabletheuserofthemtoprovethatthewisestandtherichestareoneandthesame，althoughheisinthewrongandhisopponentsareintheright。Therewouldbenothingstrangeinthis；itwouldbeasiftwopersonsweretodisputeaboutletters，onedeclaringthatthewordSocratesbeganwithanS，theotherthatitbeganwithanA，andthelattercouldgainthevictoryovertheformer。
Eryxiasglancedattheaudience，laughingandblushingatonce，asifhehadhadnothingtodowithwhathadjustbeensaid，andreplied，——No，indeed，Socrates，Ineversupposedthatourargumentsshouldbeofakindwhichwouldneverconvinceanyoneofthoseherepresentorbeofadvantagetothem。Forwhatmanofsensecouldeverbepersuadedthatthewisestandtherichestarethesame？Thetruthisthatwearediscussingthesubjectofriches，andmynotionisthatweshouldarguerespectingthehonestanddishonestmeansofacquiringthem，and，generally，whethertheyareagoodthingorabad。
Verygood，Isaid，andIamobligedtoyouforthehint:infuturewewillbemorecareful。Butwhydonotyouyourself，asyouintroducedtheargument，anddonotthinkthattheformerdiscussiontouchedthepointatissue，telluswhetheryouconsiderrichestobeagoodoranevil？
Iamofopinion，hesaid，thattheyareagood。Hewasabouttoaddsomethingmore，whenCritiasinterruptedhim:——Doyoureallysupposeso，Eryxias？
Certainly，repliedEryxias；IshouldbemadifIdidnot:andIdonotfancythatyouwouldfindanyoneelseofacontraryopinion。
AndI，retortedCritias，shouldsaythatthereisnoonewhomIcouldnotcompeltoadmitthatrichesarebadforsomemen。Butsurely，iftheywereagood，theycouldnotappearbadforanyone？
HereIinterposedandsaidtothem:Ifyoutwowerehavinganargumentaboutequitationandwhatwasthebestwayofriding，supposingthatIknewtheartmyself，Ishouldtrytobringyoutoanagreement。ForIshouldbeashamedifIwerepresentanddidnotdowhatIcouldtopreventyourdifference。AndIshoulddothesameifyouwerequarrellingaboutanyotherartandwerelikely，unlessyouagreedonthepointindispute，topartasenemiesinsteadofasfriends。Butnow，whenwearecontendingaboutathingofwhichtheusefulnesscontinuesduringthewholeoflife，anditmakesanenormousdifferencewhetherwearetoregarditasbeneficialornot，——athing，too，whichisesteemedofthehighestimportancebytheHellenes:——（forparents，assoonastheirchildrenare，astheythink，cometoyearsofdiscretion，urgethemtoconsiderhowwealthmaybeacquired，sincebyrichesthevalueofamanisjudged）:——
When，Isay，wearethusinearnest，andyou，whoagreeinotherrespects，falltodisputingaboutamatterofsuchmoment，thatis，aboutwealth，andnotmerelywhetheritisblackorwhite，lightorheavy，butwhetheritisagoodoranevil，whereby，althoughyouarenowthedearestoffriendsandkinsmen，themostbitterhatredmayarisebetwixtyou，Imusthinderyourdissensiontothebestofmypower。IfIcould，Iwouldtellyouthetruth，andsoputanendtothedispute；butasIcannotdothis，andeachofyousupposesthatyoucanbringtheothertoanagreement，Iamprepared，asfarasmycapacityadmits，tohelpyouinsolvingthequestion。Please，therefore，Critias，trytomakeusacceptthedoctrineswhichyouyourselfentertain。
CRITIAS:Ishouldliketofollowuptheargument，andwillaskEryxiaswhetherhethinksthattherearejustandunjustmen？
ERYXIAS:Mostdecidedly。
CRITIAS:Anddoesinjusticeseemtoyouaneviloragood？
ERYXIAS:Anevil。
CRITIAS:Doyouconsiderthathewhobribeshisneighbour’swifeandcommitsadulterywithher，actsjustlyorunjustly，andthisalthoughboththestateandthelawsforbid？
ERYXIAS:Unjustly。
CRITIAS:Andifthewickedmanhaswealthandiswillingtospendit，hewillcarryouthisevilpurposes？whereashewhoisshortofmeanscannotdowhathefainwould，andthereforedoesnotsin？Insuchacase，surely，itisbetterthatapersonshouldnotbewealthy，ifhispovertypreventstheaccomplishmentofhisdesires，andhisdesiresareevil？Or，again，shouldyoucallsicknessagoodoranevil？
ERYXIAS:Anevil。
CRITIAS:Well，anddoyouthinkthatsomemenareintemperate？
ERYXIAS:Yes。
CRITIAS:Then，ifitisbetterforhishealththattheintemperatemanshouldrefrainfrommeatanddrinkandotherpleasantthings，buthecannotowingtohisintemperance，willitnotalsobebetterthatheshouldbetoopoortogratifyhislustratherthanthatheshouldhaveasuperabundanceofmeans？Forthushewillnotbeabletosin，althoughhedesireneversomuch。
CritiasappearedtobearguingsoadmirablythatEryxias，ifhehadnotbeenashamedofthebystanders，wouldprobablyhavegotupandstruckhim。
Forhethoughtthathehadbeenrobbedofagreatpossessionwhenitbecameobvioustohimthathehadbeenwronginhisformeropinionaboutwealth。
Iobservedhisvexation，andfearedthattheywouldproceedtoabuseandquarrelling:soIsaid，——IheardthatveryargumentusedintheLyceumyesterdaybyawiseman，ProdicusofCeos；buttheaudiencethoughtthathewastalkingmerenonsense，andnoonecouldbepersuadedthathewasspeakingthetruth。Andwhenatlastacertaintalkativeyounggentlemancamein，and，takinghisseat，begantolaughandjeeratProdicus，tormentinghimanddemandinganexplanationofhisargument，hegainedtheearoftheaudiencefarmorethanProdicus。
Canyourepeatthediscoursetous？SaidErasistratus。
SOCRATES:IfIcanonlyrememberit，Iwill。TheyouthbeganbyaskingProdicus，Inwhatwaydidhethinkthatricheswereagoodandinwhatanevil？Prodicusanswered，asyoudidjustnow，thattheywereagoodtogoodmenandtothosewhoknewinwhatwaytheyshouldbeemployed，whiletothebadandtheignoranttheywereanevil。Thesameistrue，hewentontosay，ofallotherthings；menmakethemtobewhattheyarethemselves。ThesayingofArchilochusistrue:——
’Men’sthoughtscorrespondtothethingswhichtheymeetwith。’
Well，then，repliedtheyouth，ifanyonemakesmewiseinthatwisdomwherebygoodmenbecomewise，hemustalsomakeeverythingelsegoodtome。
Notthatheconcernshimselfatallwiththeseotherthings，buthehasconvertedmyignoranceintowisdom。If，forexample，apersonteachmegrammarormusic，hewillatthesametimeteachmeallthatrelatestogrammarormusic，andsowhenhemakesmegood，hemakesthingsgoodtome。
Prodicusdidnotaltogetheragree:stillheconsentedtowhatwassaid。
Anddoyouthink，saidtheyouth，thatdoinggoodthingsislikebuildingahouse，——theworkofhumanagency；ordothingsremainwhattheywereatfirst，goodorbad，foralltime？
Prodicusbegantosuspect，Ifancy，thedirectionwhichtheargumentwaslikelytotake，anddidnotwishtobeputdownbyamerestriplingbeforeallthosepresent:——（iftheytwohadbeenalone，hewouldnothaveminded）:——soheanswered，cleverlyenough:Ithinkthatdoinggoodthingsisaworkofhumanagency。
Andisvirtueinyouropinion，Prodicus，innateoracquiredbyinstruction？
Thelatter，saidProdicus。
ThenyouwouldconsiderhimasimpletonwhosupposedthathecouldobtainbyprayingtotheGodstheknowledgeofgrammarormusicoranyotherart，whichhemusteitherlearnfromanotherorfindoutforhimself？
Prodicusagreedtothisalso。
AndwhenyoupraytotheGodsthatyoumaydowellandreceivegood，youmeanbyyourprayernothingelsethanthatyoudesiretobecomegoodandwise:——if，atleast，thingsaregoodtothegoodandwiseandeviltotheevil。Butinthatcase，ifvirtueisacquiredbyinstruction，itwouldappearthatyouonlypraytobetaughtwhatyoudonotknow。
HereuponIsaidtoProdicusthatitwasnomisfortunetohimifhehadbeenprovedtobeinerrorinsupposingthattheGodsimmediatelygrantedtouswhateverweasked:——if，Iadded，wheneveryougouptotheAcropolisyouearnestlyentreattheGodstograntyougoodthings，althoughyouknownotwhethertheycanyieldyourrequest，itisasthoughyouwenttothedoorsofthegrammarianandbeggedhim，althoughyouhadnevermadeastudyoftheart，togiveyouaknowledgeofgrammarwhichwouldenableyouforthwithtodothebusinessofagrammarian。
WhileIwasspeaking，Prodicuswaspreparingtoretaliateuponhisyouthfulassailant，intendingtoemploytheargumentofwhichyouhavejustmadeuse；forhewasannoyedtohaveitsupposedthatheofferedavainprayertotheGods。Butthemasterofthegymnasiumcametohimandbeggedhimtoleavebecausehewasteachingtheyouthsdoctrineswhichwereunsuitedtothem，andthereforebadforthem。
IhavetoldyouthisbecauseIwantyoutounderstandhowmenarecircumstancedinregardtophilosophy。HadProdicusbeenpresentandsaidwhatyouhavesaid，theaudiencewouldhavethoughthimraving，andhewouldhavebeenejectedfromthegymnasium。Butyouhavearguedsoexcellentlywellthatyouhavenotonlypersuadedyourhearers，buthavebroughtyouropponenttoanagreement。Forjustasinthelawcourts，iftwowitnessestestifytothesamefact，oneofwhomseemstobeanhonestfellowandtheotherarogue，thetestimonyoftherogueoftenhasthecontraryeffectonthejudges’mindstowhatheintended，whilethesameevidenceifgivenbythehonestmanatoncestrikesthemasperfectlytrue。
AndprobablytheaudiencehavesomethingofthesamefeelingaboutyourselfandProdicus；theythinkhimaSophistandabraggart，andregardyouasagentlemanofcourtesyandworth。Fortheydonotpayattentiontotheargumentsomuchastothecharacterofthespeaker。
Buttruly，Socrates，saidErasistratus，thoughyoumaybejoking，Critiasdoesseemtometobesayingsomethingwhichisofweight。
SOCRATES:Iaminprofoundearnest，Iassureyou。Butwhy，asyouhavebegunyourargumentsoprettily，doyounotgoonwiththerest？Thereisstillsomethinglacking，nowyouhaveagreedthat（wealth）isagoodtosomeandaneviltoothers。Itremainstoenquirewhatconstituteswealth；
forunlessyouknowthis，youcannotpossiblycometoanunderstandingastowhetheritisagoodoranevil。Iamreadytoassistyouintheenquirytotheutmostofmypower:butfirstlethimwhoaffirmsthatrichesareagood，telluswhat，inhisopinion，iswealth。
ERASISTRATUS:Indeed，Socrates，Ihavenonotionaboutwealthbeyondthatwhichmencommonlyhave。Isupposethatwealthisaquantityofmoney（compareArist。Pol。）；andthis，Iimagine，wouldalsobeCritias’
definition。
SOCRATES:Thennowwehavetoconsider，Whatismoney？Orelselateronweshallbefoundtodifferaboutthequestion。Forinstance，theCarthaginiansusemoneyofthissort。Somethingwhichisaboutthesizeofastateristiedupinasmallpieceofleather:whatitis，nooneknowsbutthemakers。Asealisnextsetupontheleather，whichthenpassesintocirculation，andhewhohasthelargestnumberofsuchpiecesisesteemedtherichestandbestoff。Andyetifanyoneamongushadamassofsuchcoinshewouldbenowealthierthanifhehadsomanypebblesfromthemountain。AtLacedaemon，again，theyuseironbyweightwhichhasbeenrendereduseless:andhewhohasthegreatestmassofsuchironisthoughttobetherichest，althoughelsewhereithasnovalue。InEthiopiaengravedstonesareemployed，ofwhichaLacedaemoniancouldmakenouse。
Oncemore，amongtheNomadScythiansamanwhoownedthehouseofPolytionwouldnotbethoughtricherthanonewhopossessedMountLycabettusamongourselves。Andclearlythosethingscannotallberegardedaspossessions；
forinsomecasesthepossessorswouldappearnonethericherthereby:
but，asIwassaying，someoneofthemisthoughtinoneplacetobemoney，andthepossessorsofitarethewealthy，whereasinsomeotherplaceitisnotmoney，andtheownershipofitdoesnotconferwealth；justasthestandardofmoralsvaries，andwhatishonourabletosomemenisdishonourabletoothers。AndifwewishtoenquirewhyahouseisvaluabletousbutnottotheScythians，orwhytheCarthaginiansvalueleatherwhichisworthlesstous，ortheLacedaemoniansfindwealthinironandwedonot，canwenotgetananswerinsomesuchwayasthis:WouldanAthenian，whohadathousandtalentsweightofthestoneswhichlieaboutintheAgoraandwhichwedonotemployforanypurpose，bethoughttobeanythericher？
ERASISTRATUS:Hecertainlywouldnotappearsotome。
SOCRATES:Butifhepossessedathousandtalentsweightofsomepreciousstone，weshouldsaythathewasveryrich？
ERASISTRATUS:Ofcourse。
SOCRATES:Thereasonisthattheoneisuselessandtheotheruseful？
ERASISTRATUS:Yes。
SOCRATES:AndinthesamewayamongtheScythiansahousehasnovaluebecausetheyhavenouseforahouse，norwouldaScythiansetsomuchstoreonthefinesthouseintheworldasonaleathercoat，becausehecouldusetheoneandnottheother。Oragain，theCarthaginiancoinageisnotwealthinoureyes，forwecouldnotemployit，aswecansilver，toprocurewhatweneed，andthereforeitisofnousetous。
ERASISTRATUS:True。
SOCRATES:Whatisusefultous，then，iswealth，andwhatisuselesstousisnotwealth？
Buthowdoyoumean，Socrates？saidEryxias，interrupting。Dowenotemployinourintercoursewithoneanotherspeechandviolence（？）andvariousotherthings？Theseareusefulandyettheyarenotwealth。
SOCRATES:Clearlywehavenotyetansweredthequestion，Whatiswealth？
Thatwealthmustbeuseful，tobewealthatall，——thusmuchisacknowledgedbyeveryone。Butwhatparticularthingiswealth，ifnotallthings？Letuspursuetheargumentinanotherway；andthenwemayperhapsfindwhatweareseeking。Whatistheuseofwealth，andforwhatpurposehasthepossessionofrichesbeeninvented，——inthesense，Imean，inwhichdrugshavebeendiscoveredforthecureofdisease？Perhapsinthiswaywemaythrowsomelightonthequestion。Itappearstobeclearthatwhateverconstituteswealthmustbeuseful，andthatwealthisoneclassofusefulthings；andnowwehavetoenquire，Whatistheuseofthoseusefulthingswhichconstitutewealth？Forallthingsprobablymaybesaidtobeusefulwhichweuseinproduction，justasallthingswhichhavelifeareanimals，butthereisaspecialkindofanimalwhichwecall’man。’Nowifanyoneweretoaskus，Whatisthatofwhich，ifwewererid，weshouldnotwantmedicineandtheinstrumentsofmedicine，wemightreplythatthiswouldbethecaseifdiseasewereabsentfromourbodiesandeithernevercametothematallorwentawayagainassoonasitappeared；andwemaythereforeconcludethatmedicineisthesciencewhichisusefulforgettingridofdisease。Butifwearefurtherasked，Whatisthatfromwhich，ifwewerefree，weshouldhavenoneedofwealth？canwegiveananswer？Ifwehavenone，supposethatwerestatethequestionthus:——Ifamancouldlivewithoutfoodordrink，andyetsufferneitherhungernorthirst，wouldhewanteithermoneyoranythingelseinordertosupplyhisneeds？
ERYXIAS:Hewouldnot。
SOCRATES:Anddoesnotthisapplyinothercases？Ifwedidnotwantfortheserviceofthebodythethingsofwhichwenowstandinneed，andheatandcoldandtheotherbodilysensationswereunperceivedbyus，therewouldbenouseinthisso—calledwealth，ifnoone，thatis，hadanynecessityforthosethingswhichnowmakeuswishforwealthinorderthatwemaysatisfythedesiresandneedsofthebodyinrespectofourvariouswants。Andthereforeifthepossessionofwealthisusefulinministeringtoourbodilywants，andbodilywantswereunknowntous，weshouldnotneedwealth，andpossiblytherewouldbenosuchthingaswealth。
ERYXIAS:Clearlynot。
SOCRATES:Thenourconclusionis，aswouldappear，thatwealthiswhatisusefultothisend？
Eryxiasoncemoregavehisassent，butthesmallargumentconsiderablytroubledhim。
SOCRATES:Andwhatisyouropinionaboutanotherquestion:——Wouldyousaythatthesamethingcanbeatonetimeusefulandatanotheruselessfortheproductionofthesameresult？
ERYXIAS:Icannotsaymorethanthatifwerequirethesamethingtoproducethesameresult，thenitseemstometobeuseful；ifnot，not。
SOCRATES:Thenifwithouttheaidoffirewecouldmakeabrazenstatue，weshouldnotwantfireforthatpurpose；andifwedidnotwantit，itwouldbeuselesstous？Andtheargumentappliesequallyinothercases。
ERYXIAS:Clearly。
SOCRATES:Andthereforeconditionswhicharenotrequiredfortheexistenceofathingarenotusefulfortheproductionofit？
ERYXIAS:Ofcoursenot。
SOCRATES:Andifwithoutgoldorsilveroranythingelsewhichwedonotusedirectlyforthebodyinthewaythatwedofoodanddrinkandbeddingandhouses，——ifwithoutthesewecouldsatisfythewantsofthebody，theywouldbeofnousetousforthatpurpose？
ERYXIAS:Theywouldnot。
SOCRATES:Theywouldnolongerberegardedaswealth，becausetheyareuseless，whereasthatwouldbewealthwhichenabledustoobtainwhatwasusefultous？
ERYXIAS:OSocrates，youwillneverbeabletopersuademethatgoldandsilverandsimilarthingsarenotwealth。ButIamverystronglyofopinionthatthingswhichareuselesstousarenotwealth，andthatthemoneywhichisusefulforthispurposeisofthegreatestuse；notthatthesethingsarenotusefultowardslife，ifbythemwecanprocurewealth。
SOCRATES:Andhowwouldyouansweranotherquestion？Therearepersons，aretherenot，whoteachmusicandgrammarandotherartsforpay，andthusprocurethosethingsofwhichtheystandinneed？
ERYXIAS:Thereare。
SOCRATES:Andthesemenbytheartswhichtheyprofess，andinexchangeforthem，obtainthenecessitiesoflifejustaswedobymeansofgoldandsilver？
ERYXIAS:True。
SOCRATES:Theniftheyprocurebythismeanswhattheywantforthepurposesoflife，thatartwillbeusefultowardslife？Fordowenotsaythatsilverisusefulbecauseitenablesustosupplyourbodilyneeds？
ERYXIAS:Wedo。
SOCRATES:Theniftheseartsarereckonedamongthingsuseful，theartsarewealthforthesamereasonasgoldandsilverare，for，clearly，thepossessionofthemgiveswealth。Yetalittlewhileagowefounditdifficulttoaccepttheargumentwhichprovedthatthewisestarethewealthiest。Butnowthereseemsnoescapefromthisconclusion。Supposethatweareasked，’Isahorseusefultoeverybody？’willnotourreplybe，’No，butonlytothosewhoknowhowtouseahorse？’
ERYXIAS:Certainly。
SOCRATES:Andso，too，physicisnotusefultoeveryone，butonlytohimwhoknowshowtouseit？
ERYXIAS:True。
SOCRATES:Andthesameisthecasewitheverythingelse？
ERYXIAS:Yes。
SOCRATES:Thengoldandsilverandalltheotherelementswhicharesupposedtomakeupwealthareonlyusefultothepersonwhoknowshowtousethem？
ERYXIAS:Exactly。
SOCRATES:Andwerewenotsayingbeforethatitwasthebusinessofagoodmanandagentlemantoknowwhereandhowanythingshouldbeused？
ERYXIAS:Yes。
SOCRATES:Thegoodandgentle，thereforewillalonehaveprofitfromthesethings，supposingatleastthattheyknowhowtousethem。Butifso，tothemonlywilltheyseemtobewealth。Itappears，however，thatwhereapersonisignorantofriding，andhashorseswhichareuselesstohim，ifsomeoneteacheshimthatart，hemakeshimalsoricher，forwhatwasbeforeuselesshasnowbecomeusefultohim，andingivinghimknowledgehehasalsoconferredrichesuponhim。
ERYXIAS:Thatisthecase。
SOCRATES:YetIdarebeswornthatCritiaswillnotbemovedawhitbytheargument。
CRITIAS:No，byheaven，IshouldbeamadmanifIwere。Butwhydoyounotfinishtheargumentwhichprovesthatgoldandsilverandotherthingswhichseemtobewealtharenotrealwealth？ForIhavebeenexceedinglydelightedtohearthediscourseswhichyouhavejustbeenholding。
SOCRATES:Myargument，Critias（Isaid），appearstohavegivenyouthesamekindofpleasurewhichyoumighthavederivedfromsomerhapsode’srecitationofHomer；foryoudonotbelieveawordofwhathasbeensaid。
Butcomenow，givemeananswertothisquestion。Arenotcertainthingsusefultothebuilderwhenheisbuildingahouse？
CRITIAS:Theyare。
SOCRATES:Andwouldyousaythatthosethingsareusefulwhichareemployedinhousebuilding，——stonesandbricksandbeamsandthelike，andalsotheinstrumentswithwhichthebuilderbuiltthehouse，thebeamsandstoneswhichtheyprovided，andagaintheinstrumentsbywhichthesewereobtained？
CRITIAS:Itseemstomethattheyareallusefulforbuilding。
SOCRATES:Andisitnottrueofeveryart，thatnotonlythematerialsbuttheinstrumentsbywhichweprocurethemandwithoutwhichtheworkcouldnotgoon，areusefulforthatart？
CRITIAS:Certainly。
SOCRATES:Andfurther，theinstrumentsbywhichtheinstrumentsareprocured，andsoon，goingbackfromstagetostageadinfinitum，——arenotallthese，inyouropinion，necessaryinordertocarryoutthework？
CRITIAS:Wemayfairlysupposesuchtobethecase。
SOCRATES:Andifamanhasfoodanddrinkandclothesandtheotherthingswhichareusefultothebody，wouldheneedgoldorsilveroranyothermeansbywhichhecouldprocurethatwhichhenowhas？
CRITIAS:Idonotthinkso。
SOCRATES:Thenyouconsiderthatamanneverwantsanyofthesethingsfortheuseofthebody？
CRITIAS:Certainlynot。
SOCRATES:Andiftheyappearuselesstothisend，oughttheynotalwaystoappearuseless？Forwehavealreadylaiddowntheprinciplethatthingscannotbeatonetimeusefulandatanothertimenot，inthesameprocess。
CRITIAS:Butinthatrespectyourargumentandminearethesame。Foryoumaintainiftheyareusefultoacertainend，theycanneverbecomeuseless；whereasIsaythatinordertoaccomplishsomeresultsbadthingsareneeded，andgoodforothers。
SOCRATES:Butcanabadthingbeusedtocarryoutagoodpurpose？
CRITIAS:Ishouldsaynot。
SOCRATES:Andwecallthoseactionsgoodwhichamandoesforthesakeofvirtue？
CRITIAS:Yes。
SOCRATES:Butcanamanlearnanykindofknowledgewhichisimpartedbywordofmouthifheiswhollydeprivedofthesenseofhearing？
CRITIAS:Certainlynot，Ithink。
SOCRATES:Andwillnothearingbeusefulforvirtue，ifvirtueistaughtbyhearingandweusethesenseofhearingingivinginstruction？
CRITIAS:Yes。
SOCRATES:Andsincemedicinefreesthesickmanfromhisdisease，thatarttoomaysometimesappearusefulintheacquisitionofvirtue，e。g。whenhearingisprocuredbytheaidofmedicine。
CRITIAS:Verylikely。
SOCRATES:Butif，again，weobtainbywealththeaidofmedicine，shallwenotregardwealthasusefulforvirtue？
CRITIAS:True。
SOCRATES:Andalsotheinstrumentsbywhichwealthisprocured？
CRITIAS:Certainly。
SOCRATES:Thenyouthinkthatamanmaygainwealthbybadanddisgracefulmeans，and，havingobtainedtheaidofmedicinewhichenableshimtoacquirethepowerofhearing，mayusethatveryfacultyfortheacquisitionofvirtue？
CRITIAS:Yes，Ido。
SOCRATES:Butcanthatwhichisevilbeusefulforvirtue？
CRITIAS:No。
SOCRATES:Itisnotthereforenecessarythatthemeansbywhichweobtainwhatisusefulforacertainobjectshouldalwaysbeusefulforthesameobject:foritseemsthatbadactionsmaysometimesservegoodpurposes？
Thematterwillbestillplainerifwelookatitinthisway:——Ifthingsareusefultowardstheseveralendsforwhichtheyexist，whichendswouldnotcomeintoexistencewithoutthem，howwouldyouregardthem？Canignorance，forinstance，beusefulforknowledge，ordiseaseforhealth，orviceforvirtue？
CRITIAS:Never。
SOCRATES:Andyetwehavealreadyagreed——havewenot？——thattherecanbenoknowledgewheretherehasnotpreviouslybeenignorance，norhealthwheretherehasnotbeendisease，norvirtuewheretherehasnotbeenvice？
CRITIAS:Ithinkthatwehave。
SOCRATES:Butthenitwouldseemthattheantecedentswithoutwhichathingcannotexistarenotnecessarilyusefultoit。Otherwiseignorancewouldappearusefulforknowledge，diseaseforhealth，andviceforvirtue。
Critiasstillshowedgreatreluctancetoacceptanyargumentwhichwenttoprovethatallthesethingswereuseless。Isawthatitwasasdifficulttopersuadehimas（accordingtotheproverb）itistoboilastone，soI
said:Letusbid’good—bye’tothediscussion，sincewecannotagreewhetherthesethingsareusefulandapartofwealthornot。Butwhatshallwesaytoanotherquestion:Whichisthehappierandbetterman，——hewhorequiresthegreatestquantityofnecessariesforbodyanddiet，orhewhorequiresonlythefewestandleast？Theanswerwillperhapsbecomemoreobviousifwesupposesomeone，comparingthemanhimselfatdifferenttimes，toconsiderwhetherhisconditionisbetterwhenheissickorwhenheiswell？
CRITIAS:Thatisnotaquestionwhichneedsmuchconsideration。
SOCRATES:Probably，Isaid，everyonecanunderstandthathealthisabetterconditionthandisease。Butwhenhavewethegreatestandthemostvariousneeds，whenwearesickorwhenwearewell？
CRITIAS:Whenwearesick。
SOCRATES:Andwhenweareintheworststatewehavethegreatestandmostespecialneedanddesireofbodilypleasures？
CRITIAS:True。
SOCRATES:Andseeingthatamanisbestoffwhenheisleastinneedofsuchthings，doesnotthesamereasoningapplytothecaseofanytwopersons，ofwhomonehasmanyandgreatwantsanddesires，andtheotherfewandmoderate？Forinstance，somemenaregamblers，somedrunkards，andsomegluttons:andgamblingandtheloveofdrinkandgreedinessarealldesires？
CRITIAS:Certainly。
SOCRATES:Butdesiresareonlythelackofsomething:andthosewhohavethegreatestdesiresareinaworseconditionthanthosewhohavenoneorveryslightones？
CRITIAS:CertainlyIconsiderthatthosewhohavesuchwantsarebad，andthatthegreatertheirwantstheworsetheyare。
SOCRATES:Anddowethinkitpossiblethatathingshouldbeusefulforapurposeunlesswehaveneedofitforthatpurpose？
CRITIAS:No。
SOCRATES:Thenifthesethingsareusefulforsupplyingtheneedsofthebody，wemustwantthemforthatpurpose？
CRITIAS:Thatismyopinion。
SOCRATES:Andhetowhomthegreatestnumberofthingsareusefulforhispurpose，willalsowantthegreatestnumberofmeansofaccomplishingit，supposingthatwenecessarilyfeelthewantofallusefulthings？
CRITIAS:Itseemsso。
SOCRATES:Theargumentprovesthenthathewhohasgreatricheshaslikewiseneedofmanythingsforthesupplyofthewantsofthebody；forwealthappearsusefultowardsthatend。Andtherichestmustbeintheworstcondition，sincetheyseemtobemostinwantofsuchthings。