The works of Plato (Vol. 1 of 6) : $b A new and literal version chiefly from the text of Stallbaum — Plato — John Shaqi
The works of Plato (Vol. 1 of 6) : $b A new and literal version chiefly from the text of Stallbaum
Plato · en
_Socr._ A beautiful and majestic woman, clad in white garments, seemed
to approach me, and to call to me and say, “Socrates, three days hence
you will reach fertile Phthia[9].”
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Footnote 9:
See Homer’s Iliad, l. ix. v. 363.
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_Cri._ What a strange dream, Socrates!
_Socr._ Very clear, however, as it appears to me, Crito.
3. _Cri._ Very much so, as it seems. But, my dear Socrates, even now be
persuaded by me, and save yourself. For, if you die, not only a single
calamity will befal me, but besides being deprived of such a friend as I
shall never meet with again, I shall also appear to many who do not know
you and me well, when I might have saved you, had I been willing to
spend my money, to have neglected to do so. And what character can be
more disgraceful than this to appear to value one’s riches more than
one’s friends? For the generality of men will not be persuaded that you
were unwilling to depart hence, when we urged you to it.
_Socr._ But why, my dear Crito, should we care so much for the opinion
of the many? For the most worthy men, whom we ought rather to regard,
will think that matters have transpired as they really have.
_Cri._ Yet you see, Socrates, that it is necessary to attend to the
opinion of the many. For the very circumstances of the present case shew
that the multitude are able to effect not only the smallest evils, but
even the greatest, if any one is calumniated to them.
_Socr._ Would, O Crito, that the multitude could effect the greatest
evils, that they might also effect the greatest good, for then it would
be well. But now they can do neither; for they can neither make a man
wise, nor foolish; but they do whatever chances.
4. _Cri._ So let it be then. But answer me this, Socrates; are you not
anxious for me and other friends, lest, if you should escape from hence,
informers should give us trouble, as having secretly carried you off,
and so we should be compelled either to lose all our property, or a very
large sum, or to suffer something else beside this? For, if you fear any
thing of the kind, dismiss your fears. For we are justified in running
this risk to save you, and, if need be, even a greater than this. But be
persuaded by me, and do not refuse.
_Socr._ I am anxious about this, Crito, and about many other things.