_Socrates._ Enough. Now, O Ion, would a physician or a charioteer be the better judge as to Homer’s sagacity on this subject? _Ion._ Of course, a charioteer. _Socrates._ Because he understands the art--or from what other reason? _Ion._ From his knowledge of the art. _Socrates._ For one science is not gifted with the power of judging of another--a steersman, for instance, does not understand medicine? _Ion._ Without doubt. _Socrates._ Nor a physician, architecture? _Ion._ Of course not. _Socrates._ Is it not thus with every art? If we are adepts in one, we are ignorant of another. But first, tell me, do not all arts differ one from the other? _Ion._ They do. _Socrates._ For you, as well as I, can testify that when we say an art is the knowledge of one thing, we do not mean that it is the knowledge of another. _Ion._ Certainly. _Socrates._ For, if each art contained the knowledge of all things, why should we call them by different names? we do so that we may distinguish them one from the other. Thus, you as well as I, know that these are five fingers; and if I asked you whether we both meant the same thing or another, when we speak of arithmetic--would you not say the same? _Ion._ Yes. _Socrates._ And tell me, when we learn one art we must both learn the same things with regard to it; and other things if we learn another? _Ion._ Certainly. _Socrates._ And he who is not versed in an art, is not a good judge of what is said or done with respect to it? _Ion._ Certainly not. _Socrates._ To return to the verses which you just recited, do you think that you or a charioteer would be better capable of deciding whether Homer had spoken rightly or not? _Ion._ Doubtless a charioteer. _Socrates._ For you are a rhapsodist, and not a charioteer? _Ion._ Yes. _Socrates._ And the art of reciting verses is different from that of driving chariots? _Ion._ Certainly. _Socrates._ And if it is different, it supposes a knowledge of different things? _Ion._ Certainly. _Socrates._ And when Homer introduces Hecamede, the concubine of Nestor, giving Machaon a posset to drink, and he speaks thus:-- Οἴνῳ πραμνείῳ, φησίν· ἐπὶ δ’ αἴγειον κνῆ τυρὸν Κνήστι χαλκείῃ· παρὰ δὲ κρόμιον ποτῷ ὄψον. _Il._ λʹ. 639. does it belong to the medical or rhapsodical art, to determine whether Homer speaks rightly on this subject? _Ion._ The medical. _Socrates._ And when he says-- Ἡ δὲ μολυβδαίνῃ ἰκέλη ἐς βυσσὸν ἵκανεν, Ἥ τε κατ’ ἀγραύλοιο βοὸς κέρας ἐμμεμαυῖα Ἔρχεται ὠμηστῇσι μετ’ ἰχθύσι πῆμα φέρουσα. _Il._ ωʹ. 80. does it belong to the rhapsodical or the piscatorial art, to determine whether he speaks rightly or not? _Ion._ Manifestly to the piscatorial art.