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Soc. Come then, what is taking pains over oneself— for we may perchance be taking, unawares, no pains over ourselves, though we think we are—and when does a man actually do it? Does he take pains over himself at the same time as over his own things?
128
Alc. I at least believe so.
128
Soc. Well now, when does a man take pains over his feet? Is it when he takes pains over what belongs to his feet?
128
Alc. I do not understand.
128
Soc. Is there anything you can name as belonging to the hand? For instance, does a ring belong to any other part of a man but the finger?
128
Alc. No, indeed.
128
Soc. And so the shoe also belongs to the foot, in the same way?
128
Alc. Yes.
128
Soc. And likewise clothes and coverlets belong to the whole body?
128
Alc. Yes.
128
Soc. Now when we take pains over our shoes, we take pains over our feet?
128
Alc. I do not quite understand, Socrates.
128
Soc. Well, but, Alcibiades, you speak of taking proper pains over this or that matter, do you not?
128
Alc. I do.
128
Soc. And do you call it proper pains when someone makes a thing better?
128
Alc. Yes.
128
Soc. Then what art makes shoes better?
128
Alc. Shoe-making.
128
Soc. So by shoe-making we take pains over our shoes?
128
Alc. Yes.
128
Soc. And over our foot too by shoe-making? Or by that art whereby we make feet better?
128
Alc. By that art.
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Soc. And is it not the same one for making our feet as for making the whole body better?
128
Alc. I think so.
128
Soc. And is not that gymnastic?
128
Alc. Certainly.
128
Soc. So by gymnastic we take pains over our foot, but by shoe-making over what belongs to our foot?
128
Alc. Quite so.
128
Soc. And by gymnastic over our hands, but by ring-engraving over what belongs to the hand?
128
Alc. Yes.
