From speaking he proceeds to writing, and tells a pleasant story of the invention of letters, and remarks that the evil of writing is, that, like painting, if you ask it a question it cannot answer; and when once written it is tossed from hand to hand, as well among those who understand it as those who do not. But there is another kind of discourse far more excellent, which is written in the learner’s mind, and knows when to speak and when to be silent. The conclusion of the whole is that a speaker should be acquainted with the true nature of each subject on which he speaks or writes, be able to define, and divide things into their species until he reaches the indivisible, and to investigate the nature of the soul and apply his discourses to each soul according to its capacity. Then, with a message, in accordance with these principles, to Lysias, and a high encomium on Isocrates, who promised to be led by a diviner impulse to holier and higher things, he concludes by praying that Pan would grant him to be beautiful in the inner man, and that all outward things might be at peace with those within. That he may deem the wise man rich: and may have such a portion of gold as none but a prudent man can bear or employ. PHÆDRUS. SOCRATES. PHÆDRUS. ------- _Socr._ My dear Phædrus, whither are you going, and from whence come you? _Phæ._ From Lysias, son of Cephalus, Socrates; but I am going for a walk outside the walls; for I have spent a long time there, sitting from very early in the morning; but in obedience to your and my friend Acumenus, I take my walks in the open roads; for he says that they are more refreshing than those in the course. _Socr._ He says rightly, my friend: Lysias then, as it seems, was in the city? _Phæ._ Yes, with Epicrates in the Morychian house here, near the Olympium. _Socr._ What was your employment there? Without doubt Lysias feasted you with speeches? _Phæ._ You shall hear, if you have leisure to go on with me and listen. _Socr._ What then? do you not think that, according to Pindar[116], I should consider it a matter above all want and leisure, to listen to the conversation between you and Lysias? ----- Footnote 116: Isthm. i. 2. ----- _Phæ._ Proceed then. _Socr._ Do you begin your story. 2. _Phæ._ And indeed, Socrates, the subject is suited to you. For the question, in which we spent our time, I know not how, was amatory. For Lysias had written a speech in which he described a beautiful youth as being courted, but not by a lover; and on this very point he argued with great subtilty; for he maintains that favour ought to be shewn to one who is not in love, rather than to one who is in love.