Chapter 26 Volume Three, Chapter Nine

Socrates gave different definitions for bravery, prudence, self-control, madness, jealousy, laziness, command, and happiness.Courage is not the same in all; it may be strengthened by exercise, v. 1-3.There is no difference between prudence and self-control, v. 4.Justice and other virtues are wisdom, v. 5.The opposite of wisdom is madness; ignorance is not the same as madness, §6-7.Envy is a feeling of uneasiness at the thought of another's happiness, v. 8.Laziness is reluctance to do useful work, v. 9.It is not only those kings, chiefs, etc. who have the name of command that actually command, but those who know how to command, v. 10-13.The best end of life is to get things done; the difference between doing things well and taking chances, § 14, 15.

When he was asked again whether bravery was acquired by education or innate, Socrates replied: "I think that just as one person's body is born stronger than another's body and can withstand toil, It is possible that one soul is naturally stronger against danger than another; for I have noticed that men brought up under the same laws and customs differ greatly in their courage. Yet I think that all the natural qualities of man, as regards courage, can be improved by study and exercise. For it is obvious that the Scythians and the Thracians dare not take the buckler and the javelin to fight with the bulls. The Kaidaimoi fought; and the Rakaidaimeni would certainly not be willing to fight a Thracian with a small shield and a short spear, or a bow and arrow with a Scythian. In all other respects, I see, Men are likewise inherently different, and all can be much improved by industry. It is evident, therefore, that the more intelligent as well as the less endowed, if they set their minds to To achieve commendable achievements, one must study hard and practice hard.”

Socrates did not distinguish between wisdom and prudence, but believed that anyone who knows and practices good things, knows what is ugly and guards against them is both wise and wise.When someone asked him whether he thought that those who knew what they ought to do and did the opposite were also wise and self-controlled, he replied: "No, but think that such a person is neither The wise and the self-controlled, for I think that all the wise and the self-control prefer to do what is best for them as far as possible; A man who is neither wise nor wise." Socrates also said: Justice and all other virtues are wisdom.For what is just and all moral action is beautiful and good; whoever knows these things will never choose another; whoever does not know them can never practice them; even if they Try to do it, and you will fail.Therefore, wise people always do beautiful and good things, but foolish people cannot do beautiful and good things, and even if they try, they will fail.Since the just and all other good and good deeds are moral actions, it is evident that the just and all other virtuous actions are wisdom.

Madness, Socrates said, is the opposite of wisdom.But he does not regard ignorance as madness.However, a man who does not know himself, thinks that what he does not know, and believes that he knows, thinks that he is very close to madness.He said that many people do not call crazy people who err about what most people don't know, but those who err about what most people know .For if a man thinks himself so tall that he bends over the gate, or thinks he is so strong that he tries to lift a house, or tries to do what everyone knows is wrong, other possible things, they call such a man crazy; but many do not call a man crazy who errs in little things.Just as they call a strong desire love, so they call a great insanity madness.

In considering envy, he finds that envy is a pain, but not a pain from the misfortune of a friend, nor a pain from the success of an enemy; People are jealous people.When people expressed surprise that anyone could suffer from the success of a loved one, he reminded them that many people have such a feeling towards others: when other people's misfortune, they can't help it. Inquisitive, and always trying to relieve their misfortune, they may be disturbed by the success of others.Although this does not happen to wise people, it is often the case with fools. In considering the problem of laziness, Socrates says he finds that almost all men do something, as even dice-throwers and clowns do something: but he thinks that all These people are lazy because they could all be doing better things.However, no one can say that it is lazy not to do better things and to do worse things. If someone does this, Socrates believes that it cannot be said that this is lazy, but that it is a very bad thing. things.

Kings and rulers, said Socrates, are not those who hold great power, who hold the king's wat, nor are they elected by the masses, nor are they drawn by lot, nor are they obtained by violence or deceit. Those who govern, but those who know how to rule.When anyone admits that it is the duty of the ruler to give orders and that of the ruled to obey, he explains to them that in a ship the man who knows [the business] is the ruler, and the owner and all others on board All obey the man who knows; in agriculture, the farmer, in disease, the sick, in physical exercise, the exerciser, and all others who need to attend, if they think they know, They take care of themselves, and if they do not understand themselves, they not only obey those who are present and understand, but, if those who understand are not present, they send for them, so that they can obey their leadership and do what they have to do. matter.He also explained that when it comes to weaving, women dominate men because women know how to weave and men don't.

If anyone objected to these words, a tyrant might refuse to obey a [subject] who spoke justly, and he would ask: "How can it be said that he can refuse to obey, since he who disobeys advice is punished? For if Whoever disobeys advice must make mistakes in his disobedience, and he will be punished for making mistakes." If it is said that a tyrant may put to death the man who advises him, Socrates retorts, "Do you think that the man who puts to death his best comrade-in-arms will go unpunished? Or will his punishment be Is it slight? Do you think the man who did such a thing will be safe, or, more likely, he will soon perish?"

When someone asked what, in his opinion, was the best thing a person should strive for, Socrates replied, "One should strive to get things done well."When asked again whether, in his opinion, good luck should be pursued, he said, "At least in my opinion, luck and action are two completely opposite things; To get what you need is good luck, but to do something well by studying and practicing is what I ask to do well. Those who try to do this, in my opinion, are doing things well. people who do things well".He added, "The best and most beloved of God, in agriculture, are those who are good farmers; in medicine, those who are skilled in medicine; in politics, good statesmen; As for those who cannot get things done well, they are neither useful nor beloved of God."