[Side-note: Answer farther amended. The Athenians do not generally debate about just or unjust--which they consider plain to every one--but about expedient and inexpedient, which are not coincident with just and unjust. But neither does Alkibiades know the expedient. He asks Sokrates to explain. Sokrates declines: he can do nothing but question.] _Alk._--But, Sokrates, the Athenians do not often debate about what is just and unjust. They think that question self-evident; they debate generally about what is expedient or not expedient. Justice and expediency do not do not always coincide. Many persons commit great crimes, and are great gainers by doing so: others again behave justly, and suffer from it.[7] _Sokr_--Do you then profess to know what is expedient or inexpedient? From whom have you learnt--or when did you find out for yourself? I might ask you the same round of questions, and you would be compelled to answer in the same manner. But we will pass to a different point. You say that justice and expediency are not coincident. Persuade _me_ of this, by interrogating me as I interrogated you. _Alk._--That is beyond my power. _Sokr._--But when you rise to address the assembly, you will have to persuade _them_. If you can persuade them, you can persuade me. Assume _me_ to be the assembly, and practise upon me.[8] _Alk._--You are too hard upon me, Sokrates. It is for you to speak and prove the point. _Sokr_--No: I can only question: you must answer. You will be most surely persuaded when the point is determined by your own answers.[9] [Footnote 7: Plato, Alkib. i. 113 D. [Greek: Oi)=mai me\n o)liga/kis A)thênai/ous bouleu/esthai po/tera dikaio/tera ê)\ a)dikôtera; ta\ me\n ga\r toiau=ta ê(gou=ntai dê=la ei)=nai], &c.] [Footnote 8: Plato, Alkib. i. 114 B-C. This same argument is addressed by Sokrates to Glaukon, in Xenoph. Memor. iii. 6, 14-15.] [Footnote 9: Plato, Alkib. i. 114 E. [Greek: Ou)kou=n ei) le/geis o(/ti tau=th' ou(/tôs e)/chei, ma/list' a)\n ei)/ês pepeisme/nos?]] [Side-note: Comment on the preceding--Sokratic method--the respondent makes the discoveries for himself.]