The Works of Plato

C.

And he, having listened, says: "That is how it turns out, Socrates, from your words."

— And, Hippocrates, will our sophist not be a merchant or a peddler of those goods by which the soul is nourished?

— It seems to me that he is something like that; but what is the soul nourished by, Socrates?

D.— By knowledge, of course, I said. And let us hope, my friend, that the sophist does not deceive us, praising what he sells like a merchant or a peddler who trades in bodily food. Because even with those people—not only do they themselves not know what among the goods they carry is beneficial or harmful for the body, but they praise everything for the sake of profit original: "ἐπαινοῦσιν δὲ πάντα πωλοῦντες."—but those who buy from them do not know either, unless one happens to be a master of gymnastics or a physician. Likewise, those who travel from city to city with knowledge and engage in large-scale or small-scale trade original: "πωλοῦντες καὶ καπηλεύοντες." with anyone who wishes, even though they praise everything they trade, perhaps, my dear fellow, some of them do not know at all E. the value of what they sell, whether it is good or bad for the soul; and likewise, those who buy from them do not know, unless one happens to be a physician who knows about the affairs of the soul. So, if you know exactly what is beneficial here and what is not, it is safe for you to purchase instruction from Protagoras or from anyone else; but if not, then look out, 314 good fellow, so that you do not embark upon a desperate gamble at the highest stake original: "μὴ περὶ τοῖς φιλτάτοις κυβεύῃς τε καὶ κινδυνεύῃς.". Because there is much more danger in purchasing instruction than in purchasing food. For when one buys food and drink (from a merchant or peddler) original: "παρὰ τοῦ καπήλου καὶ ἐμπόρου.", one can carry it in other vessels and, before taking it into one's body by drinking or eating, can set it aside at home and consult, calling upon one who knows what (of the purchased items) should be eaten or drunk and what should not, and also—how much and at what time; so that in that purchase the danger is not great.