The dialogues of Plato in five volumes, Vol. 2 (of 5) : $b Translated into English with analyses and introductions
Plato · en
_Soc._ But what differences are there which cannot be thus
decided, and which therefore make us angry and set us
at enmity with one another? I dare say the answer does
not occur to you at the moment, and therefore I will suggest
that these enmities arise when the matters of difference are
the just and unjust, good and evil, honourable and dishonourable.
Are not these the points about which men
differ, and about which when we are unable satisfactorily
to decide our differences, you and I and all of us quarrel,
when we do quarrel[13]?
_Euth._ Yes, Socrates, the nature of the differences about
which we quarrel is such as you describe.
[Sidenote: _Would all the gods approve of Euthyphro’s conduct?_]
_Soc._ And the quarrels of the gods, noble Euthyphro, when
they occur, are of a like nature?
_Euth._ Certainly they are.
_Soc._ They have differences of opinion, as you say, about
good and evil, just and unjust, honourable and dishonourable:
there would have been no quarrels among them, if there had
been no such differences—would there now?
_Euth._ You are quite right.
[Sidenote: Men and gods alike love the things which they deem noble and
just, but they are not agreed what these are.]
_Soc._ Does not every man love that which he deems noble
and just and good, and hate the opposite of them?
_Euth._ Very true.
_Soc._ But, as you say, people regard the same things, some
as just and others as unjust,—about these they dispute; and
so there arise wars and fightings among them. 8
_Euth._ Very true.
_Soc._ Then the same things are hated by the gods
and loved by the gods, and are both hateful and dear to
them?
_Euth._ True.
_Soc._ And upon this view the same things, Euthyphro, will
be pious and also impious?
_Euth._ So I should suppose.
_Soc._ Then, my friend, I remark with surprise that you
have not answered the question which I asked. For I
certainly did not ask you to tell me what action is both pious
and impious: but now it would seem that what is loved
by the gods is also hated by them. And therefore, Euthyphro,
in thus chastising your father you may very likely
be doing what is agreeable to Zeus but disagreeable to
Cronos or Uranus, and what is acceptable to Hephaestus but
unacceptable to Herè, and there may be other gods who
have similar differences of opinion.
_Euth._ But I believe, Socrates, that all the gods would be
agreed as to the propriety of punishing a murderer: there
would be no difference of opinion about that.
_Soc._ Well, but speaking of men, Euthyphro, did you ever
hear any one arguing that a murderer or any sort of evil-doer
ought to be let off?
[Sidenote: _Or condemn his father’s?_]