And when you possessed it (I asked), did you get it by learning from me? or in what other way? I will tell you, Sokrates (he answered), what seems incredible, yet is nevertheless true.[18] I never learnt from you any thing at all. You yourself well know this. But I always made progress, whenever I was along with you, even if I were only in the same house without being in the same room; but I made greater progress, if I was in the same room--greater still, if I looked in your face, instead of turning my eyes elsewhere--and the greatest of all, by far, if I sat close and touching you. But now (continued Aristeides) all that I then acquired has dribbled out of me.[19] [Footnote 15: Plato, Theagês, 129 E. [Greek: tau=ta dê\ pa/nta ei)/rêka/ soi, o(/ti ê( du/namis au(/tê tou= daimoni/ou tou/tou kai\ ei)s ta\s sunousi/as tô=n met' e)mou= sundiatribo/ntôn to\ a(/pan du/natai. polloi=s me\n ga\r e)nantiou=tai, kai\ ou)k e)/sti tou/tois ô)phelêthênai met' e)mou= diatri/bousin.]] [Footnote 16: Plato, Theag. 129 E. [Greek: oi(=s d' a)\n sulla/bêtai tê=s sunousi/as ê( tou= daimo/niou du/namis, ou(=toi ei)sin ô(=n kai\ su\ ê)/|sthêsai; tachu\ ga\r parachrê=ma e)pidido/asin.]] [Footnote 17: Plato, Theag. 130 A-B. [Greek: Ti/ dai/? ou)k oi)=den, e)/phê, pri\n soi\ suggene/sthai, oi(=on ê)=n to\ a)ndra/podon?]] [Footnote 18: Plato, Theag. 130 D. [Greek: Ê(ni/ka de/ soi parege/neto (ê( du/namis), po/teron matho/nti par' e)mou= ti parege/neto, ê)/ tini a)/llô| tro/pô|? E)gô/ soi, e)/phê, e)rô=, ô)= Sô/krates, a)/piston me\n nê\ tou\s theou/s, a)lêthe\s de/. e)gô\ ga\r e)/mathon me\n para\ sou= ou)de\n pô/pote, ô(s au)to\s oi)=stha; e)pedi/doun de\ o(pote soi sunei/ên, ka)\n ei) e)n tê=| au)tê=| mo/non oi)ki/a| ei)/ên, mê\ e)n tô=| au)tô=| de\ oi)kê/mati], &c.] [Footnote 19: Plato, Theag. 130 E. [Greek: polu\ de\ ma/lista kai\ plei=ston e)pedi/doun, o(po/te par' au)to/n se kathoi/mên e)cho/meno/s sou kai\ a(pto/menos. nu=n de/, ê)= d' o(/s, pa=sa e)kei/nê ê(\ e(/xis e)xer)r(u/êken.]] [Side-note: Theagês expresses his anxiety to be received as the companion of Sokrates.] _Sokr._--I have now explained to you, Theagês, what it is to become my companion. If it be the pleasure of the God, you will make great and rapid progress: if not, not. Consider, therefore, whether it is not safer for you to seek instruction from some of those who are themselves masters of the benefits which they impart, rather than to take your chance of the result with me.[20] _Theag._--I shall be glad, Sokrates, to become your companion, and to make trial of this divine coadjutor. If he shows himself propitious, that will be the best of all: if not, we can then take counsel, whether I shall try to propitiate him by prayer, sacrifice, or any other means which the prophets may recommend or whether I shall go to some other teacher.[21]