Euthydemus answered: Quite true, Socrates, and I mean to go on collecting until I possess all the books I can possibly lay hold of. Soc. By Hera! I admire you for wishing to possess treasures of wisdom rather than of gold and silver, which shows that you do not believe gold and silver to be the means of making men better, but that the thoughts (16) of the wise alone enrich with virtue their possessions. (16) Lit. "gnomes," maxims, sententiae. Cf. Aristot. "Rhet." ii. 21. And Euthydemus was glad when he heard that saying, for, thought he to himself, "In the eyes of Socrates I am on the high road to the acquisition of wisdom." But the latter, perceiving him to be pleased with the praise, continued. Soc. And what is it in which you desire to excel, Euthydemus, that you collect books? And when Euthydemus was silent, considering what answer he should make, Socrates added: Possibly you want to be a great doctor? Why, the prescriptions (17) of the Pharmacopoeia would form a pretty large library by themselves. (17) {suggrammata}, "medical treatises." See Aristot. "Eth." x. 9, 21. No, indeed, not I! (answered Euthydemus). Soc. Then do you wish to be an architect? That too implies a man of well-stored wit and judgment. (18) (18) Or, "To be that implies a considerable store of well-packed wisdom." I have no such ambition (he replied). Soc. Well, do you wish to be a mathematician, like Theodorus? (19) (19) Of Cyrene (cf. Plat. "Theaet.") taught Plato. Diog. Laert. ii. 8, 19. Euth. No, nor yet a mathematician. Soc. Then do you wish to be an astronomer? (20) or (as the youth signified dissent) possibly a rhapsodist? (21) (he asked), for I am told you have the entire works of Homer in your possession. (22) (20) Cf. below, IV. vii. 4. (21) See "Symp." iii. 6; Plat. "Ion." (22) See Jowett, "Plato," i. 229; Grote, "Plato," i. 455. Nay, God forbid! not I! (ejaculated the youth). Rhapsodists have a very exact acquaintance with epic poetry, I know, of course; but they are empty-pated creatures enough themselves. (23) (23) Or, "are simply perfect in the art of reciting epic poetry, but are apt to be the veriest simpletons themselves." At last Socrates said: Can it be, Euthydemus, that you are an aspirant to that excellence through which men become statesmen and administrators fit to rule and apt to benefit (24) the rest of the world and themselves? (24) Or, "statesmen, and economists, and rules, and benefactors of the rest of the world and themselves." Yes (replied he), that is the excellence I desire--beyond measure. Upon my word (said Socrates), then you have indeed selected as the object of your ambition the noblest of virtues and the greatest of the arts, for this is the property of kings, and is entitled "royal"; but (he continued) have you considered whether it is possible to excel in these matters without being just and upright? (25)