_Phæ._ Such indeed, Socrates, appears to be the case with the art which these men teach and write about as rhetoric; and you seem to me to have spoken the truth: but how and from whence can one acquire the art of true rhetoric and persuasion? 120. _Socr._ The ability, Phædrus, to become a perfect proficient, probably, or rather necessarily, depends on the same things as in other cases: for, if you naturally possess rhetorical abilities, you will be a distinguished orator by adding science and practice; but in whichever of these you are deficient, in that respect you will be imperfect. But so far as it is an art, its method, I think, will not be found in the way that Lysias and Thrasymachus are proceeding. _Phæ._ In what way then? _Socr._ Pericles, my excellent friend, appears, with good reason, to have been the most perfect of all men in rhetoric. _Phæ._ How so? _Socr._ All the great arts require a subtle and speculative research into the law of nature: for that loftiness of thought and perfect mastery over every subject seems to be derived from some such source as this; which Pericles possessed in addition to a great natural genius. For meeting, I think, with Anaxagoras, who was a person of this kind, and being filled with speculative research, and having arrived at the nature of intelligence and want of intelligence, about which Anaxagoras made that long discourse, he drew from thence to the art of speaking whatever could contribute to its advantage. 121. _Phæ._ What mean you by this? _Socr._ The method of the art of rhetoric is, in a manner, the same as that of medicine. _Phæ._ How so? _Socr._ In both it is requisite that nature should be thoroughly investigated, the nature of the body in the one, and the soul in the other, if you mean not only by practice and experience, but by art, to give health and strength to the former by applying medicine and diet, and to impart such persuasion as you please and virtue to the latter, by means of speeches and legitimate employments. _Phæ._ This indeed seems probable, Socrates. _Socr._ But do you think it possible rightly to understand the nature of the soul, without understanding the nature of the universe? _Phæ._ If we are to believe Hippocrates, of the family of Æsculapius, we cannot understand even the nature of body without this method. _Socr._ For he says well, my friend. But it is necessary, in addition to the authority of Hippocrates, to examine our argument, and consider whether it is consistent. _Phæ._ I agree.