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Socrates. Well, what kind of attention to the gods is holiness?
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Euthyphro. The kind, Socrates, that servants pay to their masters.
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Socrates. I understand. It is, you mean, a kind of service to the gods?
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Euthyphro. Exactly.
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Socrates. Now can you tell me what result the art that serves the physician serves to produce? Is it not health?
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Euthyphro. Yes.
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Socrates. Well then; what is it which the art that serves shipbuilders serves to produce?
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Euthyphro. Evidently, Socrates, a ship.
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Socrates. And that which serves housebuilders serves to build a house?
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Euthyphro. Yes.
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Socrates. Then tell me, my friend; what would the art which serves the gods serve to accomplish? For it is evident that you know, since you say you know more than any other man about matters which have to do with the gods.
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Euthyphro. And what I say is true, Socrates.
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Socrates. Then, in the name of Zeus, tell me, what is that glorious result which the gods accomplish by using us as servants?
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Euthyphro. They accomplish many fine results, Socrates.
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Socrates. Yes, and so do generals, my friend; but nevertheless, you could easily tell the chief of them, namely, that they bring about victory in war. Is that not the case?
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Euthyphro. Of course.
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Socrates. And farmers also, I think, accomplish many fine results; but still the chief result of their work is food from the land?
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Euthyphro. Certainly.
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Socrates. But how about the many fine results the gods accomplish? What is the chief result of their work?
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Euthyphro. I told you a while ago, Socrates, that it is a long task to learn accurately all about these things. However, I say simply that when one knows how to say and do what is gratifying to the gods, in praying and sacrificing, that is holiness, and such things bring salvation to individual families and to states; and the opposite of what is gratifying to the gods is impious, and that overturns and destroys everything.
