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Soc. Not knowing, of course, my excellent friend, that the things are worthless; for we have already convinced ourselves by our argument that this is impossible.
226
Fr. I agree.
226
Soc. And if not knowing this, clearly they are ignorant of it, but think that those worthless things are worth a great deal.
226
Fr. Apparently.
226
Soc. Now, of course lovers of gain must love gain?
226
Fr. Yes.
226
Soc. And by gain you mean the opposite of loss?
227
Fr. I do.
227
Soc. And is it a good thing for anyone to suffer loss?
227
Fr. For no one.
227
Soc. Rather an evil?
227
Fr. Yes.
227
Soc. So mankind are harmed by loss.
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Fr. They are harmed.
227
Soc. Then loss is an evil.
227
Fr. Yes.
227
Soc. And gain is the opposite of loss.
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Fr. The opposite.
227
Soc. So that gain is a good.
227
Fr. Yes.
227
Soc. Hence it is those who love the good that you call lovers of gain.
227
Fr. So it seems.
227
Soc. At least there is nothing mad, my friend, about lovers of gain, as you describe them. But tell me, do you yourself love, or not love, whatever is good?
227
Fr. I love it.
227
Soc. And is there anything good that you do not love, or must it then be evil?
227
Fr. Upon my word, nothing.
227
Soc. In fact, I expect you love all good things.
227
Fr. Yes.
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Soc. Well now, ask me on my side whether I do not likewise: for I shall agree with you, for my part, that I love good things. But besides you and me, do you not think that all the rest of mankind love good things, and hate evil things?
227
Fr. It appears so to me.
