_Soc._ Their laughter, friend Euthyphro, is not a matter of much consequence. For a man may be thought wise; but the Athenians, I suspect, do not much trouble themselves about him until he begins to impart his wisdom to others; and then for some reason or other, perhaps, as you say, from jealousy, they are angry. _Euth._ I am never likely to try their temper in this way. _Soc._ I dare say not, for you are reserved in your behaviour, and seldom impart your wisdom. But I have a benevolent habit of pouring out myself to everybody, and would even pay for a listener, and I am afraid that the Athenians may think me too talkative. Now if, as I was saying, they would only laugh at me, as you say that they laugh at you, the time might pass gaily enough in the court; but perhaps they may be in earnest, and then what the end will be you soothsayers only can predict. [Sidenote: _Euthyphro charges his father with murder._] _Euth._ I dare say that the affair will end in nothing, Socrates, and that you will win your cause; and I think that I shall win my own. _Soc._ And what is your suit, Euthyphro? are you the pursuer or the defendant? _Euth._ I am the pursuer. _Soc._ Of whom? _Euth._ You will think me mad when I tell you. 4 _Soc._ Why, has the fugitive wings? _Euth._ Nay, he is not very volatile at his time of life. _Soc._ Who is he? _Euth._ My father. _Soc._ Your father! my good man? _Euth._ Yes. _Soc._ And of what is he accused? _Euth._ Of murder, Socrates. [Sidenote: The irony of Socrates.] _Soc._ By the powers, Euthyphro! how little does the common herd know of the nature of right and truth. A man must be an extraordinary man, and have made great strides in wisdom, before he could have seen his way to bring such an action. _Euth._ Indeed, Socrates, he must. [Sidenote: _The murderer murdered._] [Sidenote: Euthyphro is under a sacred obligation to prosecute a homicide, even if he be his own father.] _Soc._ I suppose that the man whom your father murdered was one of your relatives—clearly he was; for if he had been a stranger you would never have thought of prosecuting him.