PLATO'S THE LOVERS, OR ON

PHILOSOPHY.

I entered the school of Dionysius the grammarian, and I saw there the youths who were thought to be the most distinguished in appearance, and who were sons of reputable men, and their lovers. Two of the boys happened to be arguing. What it was about, I did not hear very clearly, though they seemed to be arguing about Anaxagoras or Oenopides. At any rate, they appeared to be drawing circles and mimicking certain inclinations, tilting their hands, and acting very seriously. I (for I was sitting beside the lover of one of them), having nudged him with my elbow, asked him what it was that the two boys were so earnest about. I said, "Surely it must be something great and beautiful that they have taken such pains over?" He said, "What great and beautiful thing? These people are just prattling about celestial matters, and talking nonsense as they philosophize." I, marveling at his answer, said, "My young friend, does it seem shameful to you to philosophize? Or why do you speak so harshly?" And the other one (for he happened to be sitting near him as his rival) having heard me asking and him answering, said, "It is not for your benefit, Socrates, that you ask this man if he thinks philosophy is shameful. Do you not know him, that he has spent his whole life straining his neck, gorging himself, and sleeping? So what other answer do you expect from him than that philosophy is shameful?" This one of the lovers was someone who had spent his time on music, but the other one...