Twenty-four Dialogues of Plato

...so as to speak about him. But for me, my best friend, tell me in the name of friendship: Do you truly believe these things happened this way?

Euthyphro: And things even more wonderful than these, Socrates, which the many do not know.

Socrates: And do you believe there are actually wars among the gods, and terrible enmities and battles and many other such things, as are told by the poets and depicted by our great artists? Our other sacred places are similarly adorned with them, and especially during the Great Panathenaia A major festival in Athens held every four years to honor the goddess Athena, the sacred robe [peplos] A magnificent woven garment presented to Athena; it was famously embroidered with scenes of the Battle of the Gods and Giants is carried up to the Acropolis full of such embroideries. Should we say these things are true, Socrates?

Euthyphro: Not only those, Socrates. But as I just said, do not hesitate; if you wish, I will relate other things about divine matters which, when you hear them, I know well you will be struck with amazement.

Socrates: I wouldn't be surprised. But tell me those things another time when we are at leisure. Right now, try to say more clearly what I just asked you. For, my friend, you did not sufficiently teach me before when I asked what holiness hosion: that which is sanctioned by divine law or "the pious" might be. Instead, you told me that this happens to be holy—what you are doing now, prosecuting your father for murder.

Euthyphro: And I was telling the truth, Socrates.

Socrates: Perhaps. But Euthyphro, you say there are many other holy things as well. Remember then, that I did not command you to teach me one or two of the many holy things, but that very Form eidos: the essential nature or "look" that makes a thing what it is by which all holy things are holy. For you said, I think, that by one Idea idean: the archetypal characteristic or essence unholy things are unholy and holy things are holy. Or do you not remember?

Euthyphro: I do.

Socrates: Then teach me this very Idea, what it might be, so that by looking upon it and using it as a pattern paradeigmati: a model or standard used for comparison, if anything you or anyone else does is of that sort, I may say it is holy, and if it is not of that sort, I may say it is not.
7

Euthyphro: Well, if that is how you want it, Socrates, I will tell you that way too.

Socrates: I do indeed want it.

Euthyphro: Very well: what is dear to the gods is holy; what is not dear to them is unholy.

Socrates: Splendid, Euthyphro! You have now answered exactly as I was seeking. However, whether it is true, that I do not yet know. But it is clear you will go on to teach me that what you say is true.

Euthyphro: Certainly.

Socrates: Come then, let us examine what we are saying. The thing loved by the gods and the man loved by the gods are holy; the thing hated by the gods and the man hated by the gods are unholy. They are not the same, but the exact opposite: the holy and the unholy. Is it not so?

Euthyphro: It is indeed.

Socrates: And it seems to have been well said.

Euthyphro: I think so, Socrates. For so it was said.

Socrates: And was it not also said that the gods engage in discord...

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