306
Y. Soc. Evidently.
306
Str. It has, apparently, become necessary, after all, to explain a difficult matter.
306
Y. Soc. But certainly the explanation must be made.
306
Str. It is difficult, for the assertion that one part of virtue is in a way at variance with another sort of virtue may very easily be assailed by those who appeal to popular opinion in contentious arguments.
306
Y. Soc. I do not understand.
306
Str. I will say it again in another way. I suppose you believe that courage The word ἀνδρεία has a much wider meaning than the English courage. Like the Latin virtus, it embraces all qualities which are desirable in a perfect man, especially the more active and positive virtues. When applied to one particular kind of virtue it is applied to courage, but throughout this discussion it is used in the wider sense, for which there is no single English equivalent. is one part of virtue.
306
Y. Soc. Certainly.
306
Str. And, of course, that self-restraint is different from courage, but is also a part of virtue of which courage is a part.
306
Y. Soc. Yes.
306
Str. Now I must venture to utter a strange doctrine about them.
306
Y. Soc. What is it?
306
Str. That, in a way, they are in a condition of great hostility and opposition to each other in many beings.
306
Y. Soc. What do you mean?
306
Str. Something quite unusual; for, you know, all the parts of virtue are usually said to be friendly to one another.
306
Y. Soc. Yes.
306
Str. Now shall we pay careful attention and see whether this is so simple, or, quite the contrary, there is in some respects a variance between them and their kin?
306
Y. Soc. Yes; please tell how we shall investigate the question.
306
Str. Among all the parts we must look for those which we call excellent but place in two opposite classes.
306
Y. Soc. Say more clearly what you mean.
306
Str. Acuteness and quickness, whether in body or soul or vocal utterance, whether they are real or exist in such likenesses as music and graphic art produce in imitation of them—have you never yourself praised one of them or heard them praised by others?
