Book 1
2.35
Since you are ignorant, Socrates, said Charicles in an angry tone, we put our order into language easier to understand. You may not hold any converse whatever with the young.Well then, said Socrates, that there may be no question raised about my obedience, please fix the age limit below which a man is to be accounted young.So long, replied Charicles, as he is not permitted to sit in the Council, because as yet he lacks wisdom. You shall not converse with anyone who is under thirty.
2.36
Suppose I want to buy something, am I not even then to ask the price if the seller is under thirty?Oh yes, answered Charicles, you may in such cases. But the fact is, Socrates, you are in the habit of asking questions to which you know the answer: so that is what you are not to do. Am I to give no answer, then, if a young man asks me something that I know? — for instance, Where does Charicles live? or Where is Critias?Oh yes, answered Charicles, you may, in such cases.
2.37
But you see, Socrates, explained Critias, you will have to avoid your favourite topic, — the cobblers, builders and metal workersCyropaedia VI. ii. 37.; for it is already worn to rags by you in my opinion.Then must I keep off the subjects of which these supply illustrations, Justice, Holiness, and so forth? Indeed yes, said Charicles, and cowherds too: else you may find the cattle decrease.
2.38
Thus the truth was out: the remark about the cattle had been repeated to them: and it was this that made them angry with him.So much, then, for the connexion of Critias with Socrates and their relation to each other.
2.39
I venture to lay it down that learners get nothing from a teacher with whom they are out of sympathy. Now, all the time that Critias and Alcibiades associated with Socrates they were out of sympathy with him, but from the very first their ambition was political advancement. For while they were still with him, they tried to converse, whenever possible, with prominent politicians.
