_Sokr._--"We will pursue a line of enquiry which conducts to the same result; and which starts even more decidedly from the beginning.[10] We are called upon to advise by what means virtue can be imparted to these youths, so as to make them better men. Of course, this implies that we know what virtue is: otherwise how can we give advice as to the means of acquiring it? _Lachês._--We could give no advice at all. _Sokr._--We affirm ourselves therefore to know what virtue is? _Lachês._--We do. _Sokr._--Since therefore we know, we can farther declare what it is.[11] _Lachês._--Of course we can. _Sokr._--Still, we will not at once enquire as to the whole of virtue, which might be an arduous task, but as to a part of it--Courage: that part to which the lessons of the master of arms are supposed to tend. We will first enquire what courage is: after that has been determined, we will then consider how it can best be imparted to these youths." [Footnote 10: Plato, Lachês, 189 E. [Greek: kai\ ê( toia/de ske/psis ei)s tau)to\n phe/rei, schedo\n de/ ti kai\ ma=llon e)x a)rchê=s ei)/ê a)\n.]] [Footnote 11: Plato, Lachês, 190 C. [Greek: phame\n a)/ra, ô)= La/chês, ei)de/nai au)to\ (tê\n a)retê\n) o(/, ti e)/sti. Phame\n me/ntoi. Ou)kou=n o(/ ge i)/smen, ka)\n ei)/poimen dê/pou, ti/ e)/sti. Pô=s ga\r ou)/?]] "Try then if you can tell me, Lachês, what courage is. _Lachês._--There is no difficulty in telling you that. Whoever keeps his place in the rank, repels the enemy, and does not run away, is a courageous man."[12] [Footnote 12: Plato, Lachês, 190 D-E.] [Side-note: Question--what is courage? Lachês answers by citing one particularly manifest case of courage. Mistake of not giving a general explanation.] Here is the same error in replying, as was committed by Euthyphron when asked, What is the Holy? and by Hippias, about the Beautiful. One particular case of courageous behaviour, among many, is indicated, as if it were an explanation of the whole: but the general feature common to all acts of courage is not declared. Sokrates points out that men are courageous, not merely among hoplites who keep their rank and fight, but also among the Scythian horsemen who fight while running away; others also are courageous against disease, poverty, political adversity, pain and fear of every sort; others moreover, against desires and pleasures. What is the common attribute which in all these cases constitutes Courage? If you asked me what is _quickness_--common to all those cases when a man runs, speaks, plays, learns, &c., quickly--I should tell you that it was that which accomplished much in a little time. Tell me in like manner, what is the common fact or attribute pervading all cases of courage?