115
Soc. I would ask whether anyone ever seemed to you to be doing what was base and yet just.
115
Alc. Never.
115
Soc. Well, are all just things noble?
115
Alc. Yes.
115
Soc. And what of noble things, in their turn? Are they all good, or some only, while others are not?
115
Alc. In my opinion, Socrates, some noble things are evil.
115
Soc. And some base things are good?
115
Alc. Yes.
115
Soc. Do you mean as in one of the many cases where men have gone to rescue a comrade or kinsman in battle, and have been either wounded or killed, while those who did not go to the rescue, as duty bade, have got off safe and sound?
115
Alc. Precisely.
115
Soc. And such a rescue you call noble, in respect of the endeavor to save those whom it was one’s duty to save; and this is courage, is it not?
115
Alc. Yes.
115
Soc. But you call it evil, in respect of the deaths and wounds?
115
Alc. Yes.
115
Soc. And is not the courage one thing, and the death another?
115
Alc. Certainly.
115
Soc. Then it is not in the same respect that rescuing one’s friends is noble and evil?
115
Alc. Apparently not.
115
Soc. Then see if, inasmuch as it is noble, it is also good; for in the present case you were admitting that the rescue was noble in respect of its courage: now consider this very thing, courage, and say whether it is good or bad. Consider it in this way: which would you choose to have, good things or evil?
115
Alc. Good.
115
Soc. And most of all, the greatest goods, and of such things you would least allow yourself to be deprived?
115
Alc. To be sure.
115
Soc. Then what do you say of courage? At what price would you allow yourself to be deprived of it?
115
Alc. I would give up life itself if I had to be a coward.
115
Soc. Then you regard cowardice as the uttermost evil.
115
Alc. I do.
115
Soc. On a par with death, it seems.
115
Alc. Yes.
115
Soc. And life and courage are the extreme opposites of death and cowardice?
115
Alc. Yes.
