The Lovers

"What then, regarding the philosopher: when the doctor speaks something about the sick, is it not shameful to be unable to follow what is said, or to contribute anything? And likewise, when any other of the craftsmen does so. But when the judge, or the king, or anyone else of whom we have spoken now is involved, is it not shameful to be unable to follow or to contribute regarding these matters?" "How could it not be shameful, Socrates, to be unable to contribute anything regarding such great matters?" "Shall we say, then," I said, "that even regarding these matters he must be a pentathlete, and a 'second-best' who holds the second prizes in all things, and that the philosopher must be useless as long as someone of these exists? Or rather, first, that one must not entrust one's own household to another, nor hold second prizes in this, but must discipline it himself, judging correctly, if his household is to be managed well?" He conceded to me. "Then, surely, if his friends entrust their lives to him, or if the city orders him to judge or discern something, is it not shameful, my friend, to appear second or third in these things and not be the leader?" "It seems so to me." "We are far, then, my excellent friend, from the idea that to philosophize is a love of learning and a preoccupation with the arts." When I said these things, the wise man, being ashamed of what had been said before, fell silent; the ignorant one said that it was as he had claimed, and the others praised what had been said.