Meno (100)

Soc.

For my part, I care not. As for him, Meno, we will converse with him some other time. At the moment, if through all this discussion our queries and statements have been correct, virtue is found to be neither natural nor taught, but is imparted to us by a divine dispensation without understanding in those who receive it,

unless there should be somebody among the statesmen capable of making a statesman of another. And if there should be any such, he might fairly be said to be among the living what Homer says Teiresias was among the dead—

He alone has comprehension; the rest are flitting shades.

[*] In the same way he on earth, in respect of virtue, will be a real substance among shadows.

Men.

I think you put it excellently, Socrates.

Soc.

Then the result of our reasoning, Meno, is found to be that virtue comes to us by a divine dispensation, when it does come. But the certainty of this we shall only know when, before asking in what way virtue comes to mankind, we set about inquiring what virtue is, in and by itself. It is time now for me to go my way, but do you persuade our friend Anytus of that whereof you are now yourself persuaded, so as

to put him in a gentler mood; for if you can persuade him, you will do a good turn to the people of Athens also.