7
Socrates. Then the gods in each group love the things which they consider good and right and hate the opposites of these things?
7
Euthyphro. Certainly.
8
Socrates. But you say that the same things are considered right by some of them and wrong by others; and it is because they disagree about these things that they quarrel and wage war with each other. Is not this what you said?
8
Euthyphro. It is.
8
Socrates. Then, as it seems, the same things are hated and loved by the gods, and the same things would be dear and hateful to the gods.
8
Euthyphro. So it seems.
8
Socrates. And then the same things would be both holy and unholy, Euthyphro, according to this statement.
8
Euthyphro. I suppose so.
8
Socrates. Then you did not answer my question, my friend. For I did not ask you what is at once holy and unholy; but, judging from your reply, what is dear to the gods is also hateful to the gods. And so, Euthyphro, it would not be surprising if, in punishing your father as you are doing, you were performing an act that is pleasing to Zeus, but hateful to Cronus and Uranus, and pleasing to Hephaestus, but hateful to Hera, and so forth in respect to the other gods, if any disagree with any other about it.
8
Euthyphro. But I think, Socrates, that none of the gods disagrees with any other about this, or holds that he who kills anyone wrongfully ought not to pay the penalty.
8
Socrates. Well, Euthyphro, to return to men, did you ever hear anybody arguing that he who had killed anyone wrongfully, or had done anything else whatever wrongfully, ought not to pay the penalty?
8
Euthyphro. Why, they are always arguing these points, especially in the law courts. For they do very many wrong things; and then there is nothing they will not do or say, in defending themselves, to avoid the penalty.
8
Socrates. Yes, but do they acknowledge, Euthyphro, that they have done wrong and, although they acknowledge it, nevertheless say that they ought not to pay the penalty?
8
Euthyphro. Oh, no, they don’t do that.
