The dialogues of Plato in five volumes, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Translated into English with analyses and introductions
Plato · en
_Soc._ Such is the tradition, Gorgias, about Themistocles;
and I myself heard the speech of Pericles when he advised
us about the middle wall.
_Gor._ And you will observe, Socrates, that when a decision 456
has to be given in such matters the rhetoricians are the
advisers; they are the men who win their point.
_Soc._ I had that in my admiring mind, Gorgias, when I
asked what is the nature of rhetoric, which always appears
to me, when I look at the matter in this way, to be a marvel
of greatness.
[Sidenote: The rhetorician more than a match for a man of any other
profession.]
[Sidenote: _The apology of Gorgias._]
[Sidenote: His pupils may make a bad use of his instructions, but he is
not to be blamed for this.]
_Gor._ A marvel, indeed, Socrates, if you only knew how
rhetoric comprehends and holds under her sway all the
inferior arts. Let me offer you a striking example of this.
On several occasions I have been with my brother Herodicus
or some other physician to see one of his patients, who
would not allow the physician to give him medicine, or
apply the knife or hot iron to him; and I have persuaded
him to do for me what he would not do for the physician
just by the use of rhetoric. And I say that if a rhetorician
and a physician were to go to any city, and had there to
argue in the Ecclesia or any other assembly as to which of
them should be elected state-physician, the physician would
have no chance; but he who could speak would be chosen if
he wished; and in a contest with a man of any other profession
the rhetorician more than any one would have the
power of getting himself chosen, for he can speak more
persuasively to the multitude than any of them, and on
any subject. Such is the nature and power of the art
of rhetoric! And yet, Socrates, rhetoric should be used
like any other competitive art, not against everybody,—the
rhetorician ought not to abuse his strength any more than
a pugilist or pancratiast or other master of fence;—because
he has powers which are more than a match either for
friend or enemy, he ought not therefore to strike, stab, or
slay his friends. Suppose a man to have been trained in
the palestra and to be a skilful boxer,—he in the fulness of
his strength goes and strikes his father or mother or one of
his familiars or friends; but that is no reason why the trainers
or fencing-masters should be held in detestation or banished
from the city;—surely not. For they taught their art for a
good purpose, to be used against enemies and evil-doers, in
self-defence not in aggression, and others have perverted
their instructions, and turned to a bad use their own strength 457
and skill. But not on this account are the teachers bad,
neither is the art in fault, or bad in itself; I should rather