I shall come willingly (replied Sokrates). But first answer me one small question, which will rescue me from a present embarrassment. Just now, I was shamefully puzzled in conversation with a friend, to whom I had been praising some things as honourable and beautiful,--blaming other things as mean and ugly. He surprised me by the interrogation--How do you know, Sokrates, what things are beautiful, and what are ugly? Come now, can you tell me, What is the Beautiful? I, in my stupidity, was altogether puzzled, and could not answer the question. But after I had parted from him, I became mortified and angry with myself; and I vowed that the next time I met any wise man, like you, I would put the question to him, and learn how to answer it; so that I might be able to renew the conversation with my friend. Your coming here is most opportune. I entreat you to answer and explain to me clearly what the Beautiful is; in order that I may not again incur the like mortification. You can easily answer: it is a small matter for you, with your numerous attainments. [Side-note: Hippias thinks the question easy to answer.] Oh--yes--a small matter (replies Hippias); the question is easy to answer. I could teach you to answer many questions harder than that: so that no man shall be able to convict you in dialogue.[12] [Footnote 12: Plat. Hipp. Maj. 286 C-D.] Sokrates then proceeds to interrogate Hippias, in the name of the absentee, starting one difficulty after another as if suggested by this unknown prompter, and pretending to be himself under awe of so impracticable a disputant. [Side-note: Justice, Wisdom, Beauty must each be something. What is Beauty, or the Beautiful?] All persons are just, through Justice--wise, through Wisdom--good, through Goodness or the Good--beautiful, through Beauty or the Beautiful. Now Justice, Wisdom, Goodness, Beauty or the Beautiful, must each be _something_. Tell me what the Beautiful is? [Side-note: Hippias does not understand the question. He answers by indicating one particularly beautiful object.] Hippias does not conceive the question. Does the man want to know what is a beautiful thing? _Sokr._--No; he wants to know what is _The Beautiful_. _Hip._--I do not see the difference. I answer that a beautiful maiden is a beautiful thing. No one can deny that.[13] [Footnote 13: Plat. Hipp. Maj. 287 A.]