Classical literature; Philosophers, Ancient -- Biography -- Early works to 1800; Socrates -- Trials, litigation, etc. -- Early works to 1800
(25) Just, {dikaios} = upright, righteous. Justice, {dikaiosune} =
social uprightness = righteousness, N.T. To quote a friend: "The
Greek {dikaios} combines the active dealing out of justice with
the self-reflective idea of preserving justice in our conduct,
which is what we mean by 'upright.'"
Euth. Certainly I have, and I say that without justice and uprightness
it is impossible to be a good citizen.
No doubt (replied Socrates) you have accomplished that initial step?
Euth. Well, Socrates, I think I could hold my own against all comers as
an upright man.
And have upright men (continued Socrates) their distinctive and
appropriate works like those of carpenters or shoe-makers?
Euth. To be sure they have.
Soc. And just as the carpenter is able to exhibit his works and
products, the righteous man should be able to expound and set forth his,
should he not?
I see (replied Euthydemus) you are afraid I cannot expound the works
of righteousness! Why, bless me! of course I can, and the works of
unrighteousness into the bargain, since there are not a few of that sort
within reach of eye and ear every day.
Shall we then (proceeded Socrates) write the letter R on this side, (26)
and on that side the letter W; and then anything that appears to us
to be the product of righteousness we will place to the R account, and
anything which appears to be the product of wrong-doing and iniquity to
the account of W?
(26) The letter R (to stand for Right, Righteous, Upright, Just). The
letter W (to stand for Wrong, Unrighteous, Unjust).
By all means do so (he answered), if you think that it assists matters.
Accordingly Socrates drew the letters, as he had suggested, and
continued.
Soc. Lying exists among men, does it not?
Euth. Certainly.
To which side of the account then shall we place it? (he asked).
Euth. Clearly on the side of wrong and injustice.
Soc. Deceit too is not uncommon?
Euth. By no means.
Soc. To which side shall we place deceit?
Euth. Deceit clearly on the side of wrong.
Soc. Well, and chicanery (27) or mischief of any sort?
(27) Reading {to kakourgein} (= furari, Sturz); al. {kleptein}, Stob.
Euth. That too.
Soc. And the enslavement of free-born men? (28)
(28) Or, "the kidnapping of men into slavery." {to andrapodizesthai} =
the reduction of a free-born man to a state of slavery. Slavery
itself ({douleia}) being regarded as the normal condition of a
certain portion of the human race and not in itself immoral.
Euth. That too.
Soc. And we cannot allow any of these to lie on the R side of the
account, to the side of right and justice, can we, Euthydemus?
It would be monstrous (he replied).
Soc. Very good. But supposing a man to be elected general, and he
succeeds in enslaving an unjust, wicked, and hostile state, are we to
say that he is doing wrong?
Euth. By no means.
Soc. Shall we not admit that he is doing what is right?
Euth. Certainly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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