The dialogues of Plato in five volumes, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Translated into English with analyses and introductions — Plato — John Shaqi
The dialogues of Plato in five volumes, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Translated into English with analyses and introductions
Plato · en
_Soc._ But I do not think that the ship will be here until to-morrow;
this I infer from a vision which I had last night, or
rather only just now, when you fortunately allowed me to
sleep.
_Cr._ And what was the nature of the vision?
_Soc._ There appeared to me the likeness of a woman, fair
and comely, clothed in bright raiment, who called to me and
said: O Socrates,
‘The third day hence to fertile Phthia shalt thou go[17].’
_Cr._ What a singular dream, Socrates!
_Soc._ There can be no doubt about the meaning, Crito, I
think.
[Sidenote: _The devotion of his friends._]
_Cr._ Yes; the meaning is only too clear. But, oh! my beloved
Socrates, let me entreat you once more to take my
advice and escape. For if you die I shall not only lose a
friend who can never be replaced, but there is another evil:
people who do not know you and me will believe that I might
have saved you if I had been willing to give money, but that
I did not care. Now, can there be a worse disgrace than
this—that I should be thought to value money more than the
life of a friend? For the many will not be persuaded that I
wanted you to escape, and that you refused.
_Soc._ But why, my dear Crito, should we care about the
opinion of the many? Good men, and they are the only
persons who are worth considering, will think of these things
truly as they occurred.
[Sidenote: Crito by a variety of arguments tries to induce Socrates to
make his escape. The means will be easily provided and without danger to
any one.]
_Cr._ But you see, Socrates, that the opinion of the many
must be regarded, for what is now happening shows that they
can do the greatest evil to any one who has lost their good
opinion.
_Soc._ I only wish it were so, Crito; and that the many
could do the greatest evil; for then they would also be able
to do the greatest good—and what a fine thing this would be!
But in reality they can do neither; for they cannot make a
man either wise or foolish; and whatever they do is the result
of chance.
_Cr._ Well, I will not dispute with you; but please to tell me,
Socrates, whether you are not acting out of regard to me and
your other friends: are you not afraid that if you escape from
prison we may get into trouble with the informers for having
stolen you away, and lose either the whole or a great part of
our property; or that even a worse evil may happen to us? 45
Now, if you fear on our account, be at ease; for in order to
save you, we ought surely to run this, or even a greater
risk; be persuaded, then, and do as I say.
_Soc._ Yes, Crito, that is one fear which you mention, but by
no means the only one.
[Sidenote: _The arguments of Crito._]