The performance won the plaudits of the company, and drew from Charmides a speech as follows: Sirs, what Socrates was claiming in behalf of wine applies in my opinion no less aptly to the present composition. So rare a blending of boyish and of girlish beauty, and of voice with instrument, is potent to lull sorrow to sleep, and to kindle Aphrodite's flame. Then Socrates, reverting in a manner to the charge: The young people have fully proved their power to give us pleasure. Yet, charming as they are, we still regard ourselves, no doubt, as much their betters. What a shame to think that we should here be met together, and yet make no effort ourselves to heighten the festivity! (2) (2) See Plat. "Prot." 347 D; "A company like this of ours, and men such as we profess to be, do not require the help of another's voice," etc.--Jowett. Cf. id. "Symp." 176: "To-day let us have conversation instead; and if you will allow me, I will tell you what sort of conversation." Several of the company exclaimed at once: Be our director then yourself. Explain what style of talk we should engage in to achieve that object. (3) (3) {exegou}. "Prescribe the form of words we must lay hold of to achieve the object, and we will set to work, arch-casuist." Nothing (he replied) would please me better than to demand of Callias a prompt performance of his promise. He told us, you recollect, if we would dine with him, he would give us an exhibition of his wisdom. To which challenge Callias: That I will readily, but you on your side, one and all, must propound some virtue of which you claim to have the knowledge. Socrates replied: At any rate, not one of us will have the least objection to declaring what particular thing he claims to know as best worth having. Agreed (proceeded Callias); and for my part I proclaim at once what I am proudest of. My firm belief is, I have got the gift to make my fellow-mortals better. Make men better! (cried Antisthenes); and pray how? by teaching them some base mechanic art? or teaching them nobility of soul? (4) (4) Or, "beauty and nobility of soul" ({kalokagathia}). See "Mem." I. vi. 14. The latter (he replied), if justice (5) be synonymous with that high type of virtue. (5) i.e. "social uprightness." Of course it is (rejoined Antisthenes) the most indisputable specimen. Since, look you, courage and wisdom may at times be found calamitous to friends or country, (6) but justice has no single point in common with injustice, right and wrong cannot commingle. (7) (6) See "Mem." IV. ii. 33. (7) i.e. "the one excludes the other." Well then (proceeded Callias), as soon (8) as every one has stated his peculiar merit, (9) I will make no bones of letting you into my secret. You shall learn the art by which I consummate my noble end. (10) So now, Niceratus, suppose you tell us on what knowledge you most pride yourself. (8) Reading {emon}. Al. {umon}, "when you others."