126
Soc. And what of individuals? Is it not the same art?
126
Alc. Yes.
126
Soc. And it makes each single person agree with himself?
126
Alc. Yes.
126
Soc. And what art makes each of us agree with himself as to which is the longer, a span or a cubit? Is it not mensuration?
126
Alc. Of course.
126
Soc. And it makes both individuals and states agree with each other?
126
Alc. Yes.
126
Soc. And what about the balance? Is it not the same here too?
126
Alc. It is.
126
Soc. Then what is that agreement of which you speak, and about what? And what art secures it? And is it the same in an individual as in a state, when one agrees with oneself and with another?
126
Alc. Most likely.
126
Soc. Well, what is it? Do not flag in your answers, but do your best to tell me.
126
Alc. I suppose I mean the friendship and agreement that you find when a father and mother love their son, and between brother and brother, and husband and wife.
126
Soc. Then do you suppose, Alcibiades, that a husband can possibly agree with his wife about woolwork, when he does not understand it, and she does?
126
Alc. Oh, no.
126
Soc. Nor has he any need, since that is a woman’s pursuit.
126
Alc. Yes.
127
Soc. Or again, could a woman agree with a man about soldiering, when she has not learnt it?
127
Alc. Oh, no.
127
Soc. Because, I expect you will say again, that is a man’s affair.
127
Alc. I would.
127
Soc. Then, by your account, there are some pursuits belonging to women, and some to men?
127
Alc. Of course.
127
Soc. So in these, at any rate, there is no agreement between men and women.
127
Alc. No.
127
Soc. And hence no friendship either, if, as we said, friendship is agreement.
127
Alc. Apparently not.
127
Soc. So women are not loved by men, in so far as they do their own work.
127
Alc. It seems not.
