Euthydemus (296-297)

Soc.

he said, Yes, I did again answer more than I ought, I said, through lack of education. But forgive me, and I will now simply reply that I know what I know by some means. he asked, Always, whenever I know, I replied, it is by this means. he cried, But I am so afraid this word always may bring us to grief. he rejoined, Always, I, replied, since I must withdraw the whenever. Everything by this, I replied; everything, that is, that I know. he cried; Well, I withdraw my that is, that I know. he said: It would be most surprising, I said. Then he went on: It seems I do, I replied, seeing that my that I know has no force, and I know everything. he said, Oh, pray let it be your pleasure, I replied, most worshipful Euthydemus, if what you say is really true. Only I do not quite trust in your efficacy, if your pleasure is not to he also that of your brother here, Dionysodorus: if it is, you will probably prevail. And tell me, I went on, since I cannot hope in a general way to dispute the statement that I know everything with persons so prodigiously clever—since it is your statement—how am I to say I know certain things, Euthydemus; for instance, that good men are unjust? Come, tell me, do I know this or not? he said. What? I said.

Soc.

Quite so, I said: I knew that all the time; but that is not what I ask: tell me, where did I learn that the good are unjust? said Dionysodorus. Then I do not know this, I said. said Euthydemus to Dionysodorus, At this Dionysodorus reddened. But you, I said, what do you mean, Euthydemus. Do you find that your brother, who knows everything, has not spoken aright? quickly interposed Dionysodorus. Whereupon I said: Let me alone, good sir, till Euthydemus has taught me that I know that good men are unjust, and do not grudge me this lesson. said Dionysodorus; Yes, and with good reason, I said: for I am weaker than either one of you, so I have no scruple about running away from the two together. You see, I am sadly inferior to Hercules, who was no match for the hydra—that she-professor who was so clever that she sent forth many heads of debate in place of each one that was cut off; nor for another sort of, crab-professor from the sea— freshly, I fancy, arrived on shore; and, when the hero was so bothered with its leftward barks and bites, he summoned his nephew Iolaus to the rescue, and he brought him effective relief. But if my Iolaus were to come, he would do more harm than good.[*] said Dionysodorus, I see I had best answer you, Dionysodorus, I said. For you will never cease putting questions—I think I may say I am sure of this—in a grudging, obstructing spirit, so that Euthydemus may not teach me that bit of cleverness. he said. Well, I answer, I said, that Iolaus was Hercules’ nephew, but not mine, so far as I can see, in any way whatever. For Patrocles, my brother, was not his father; only Hercules’ brother Iphicles had a name somewhat similar to his. he said, Certainly, I said: that is, by the same mother, but not by the same father. Not by the same father, worthy sir, I replied. His father was Chaeredemus, mine Sophroniscus. he said,