Chapter 32 Volume 4 Chapter 1

Socrates loves the company of young people; how he judges them, and he wishes them to be well educated, § 1, 2.The stronger the will of the youth, the more liable they are to sin, if badly educated, v. 3, 4.Happiness does not lie in wealth, but in knowledge, in being a person who has contributed to mankind, and being respected by people, section 5. Socrates is so helpful in whatever he does, or in whatever circumstances, that to any thinking man (even if he has only mediocre discernment) it is eminently obvious that there is nothing more It is more beneficial to communicate and talk with Socrates anytime and anywhere.When he was not among us, the thought of him did good to those who were with him and admired him, for whether he talked lightly or in seriousness, Sometimes it helps people.

Socrates often said that he loved such and such people, but obviously what he loved was not the youthful beauty of those people's bodies, but the admiring virtue of their hearts.He judges the good qualities of men by their speed at learning what they attend to, their ability to remember what they have learned, and their ability to learn all that is conducive to the good management of households, estates, cities, and the successful conduct of human affairs. For he believes that such people, after receiving education, will not only be happy themselves and take care of their own housework, but also make others and the city happy.But Socrates' approach to people is not all the same.For those who think they are endowed and despise learning, he taught them: the more endowed people need to be educated.He pointed out: If a fierce and rebellious thoroughbred horse is tamed at a young age, it will become the most useful and bravest horse, but if it is not tamed, it will always be a rough horse that is difficult to control.The hound of the best breed, the most fatigue-resistant, the best game hunter, is the best for hunting and the most useful if well trained, but is useless and useless if not trained. Violent and most recalcitrant.In the same way, the best endowed, the most energetic, the most likely to achieve, become the best and most useful if they are taught how they should be, because they are capable of doing so much. but if they are uneducated and unlearned, they are the worst and most harmful of men, because not knowing what to choose, they tend to meddle in evil things. , and because of his arrogance and fierceness, stubbornness, and unrestraint, he will do many bad things.

For those who boasted of wealth, thinking that without education, wealth will fulfill their desires and make them respected by people, he taught them: "Only fools think that they can tell what is good without learning. and what is harmful. Only fools would think that, even though they cannot distinguish between good and evil, wealth alone can get what they want and do things that are beneficial to them. Only fools would think that, although they cannot It is good for oneself, but it is also doing well, and it is also a good or adequate preparation for one's life. Only a fool would think that although he knows nothing, because of wealth, he will To be considered a virtuous person, or to be respected despite not being virtuous."