106
Alc. You seem to me far more extraordinary, Socrates, now that you have begun to speak, than before, when you followed me about in silence; though even then you looked strange enough. Well, as to my intending all this or not, you have apparently made your decision, and any denial of mine will not avail me to persuade you. Very good: but supposing I have intended ever so much what you say, how are you the sole means through which I can hope to attain it? Can you tell me?
106
Soc. Are you asking whether I can make a long speech, such as you are used to hearing? No, my gift is not of that sort. But I fancy I could prove to you that the case is so, if you will consent to do me just one little service.
106
Alc. Why, if you mean a service that is not troublesome, I consent.
106
Soc. Do you consider it troublesome to answer questions put to you?
106
Alc. No, I do not.
106
Soc. Then answer.
106
Alc. Ask.
106
Soc. Well, you have the intentions which I say you have, I suppose?
106
Alc. Be it so, if you like, in order that I may know what you will say next.
106
Soc. Now then: you intend, as I say, to come forward as adviser to the Athenians in no great space of time; well, suppose I were to take hold of you as you were about to ascend the platform, and were to ask you: Alcibiades, on what subject do the Athenians propose to take advice, that you should stand up to advise them? Is it something about which you have better knowledge than they? What would be your reply?
106
Alc. I should say, I suppose, it was something about which I knew better than they.
106
Soc. Then you are a good adviser on things about which you actually know.
106
Alc. To be sure.
106
Soc. And you know only the things you have learnt from others or discovered yourself?
106
Alc. What could I know besides?
106
Soc. And can it be that you would ever have learnt or discovered anything without being willing either to learn it or to inquire into it yourself?
106
Alc. No.
106
Soc. Well then, would you have been willing to inquire into or learn what you thought you knew?
106
Alc. No, indeed.
