P L A T O N I S

or whether he who is to be a philosopher, whether young or old, should learn as many things as possible in his life. And at first, he seemed to me to have said something. Then, reflecting with myself, I asked him whether he thought philosophy was polymathia learning many things, the same thing as learning many things. And he said, "Entirely." I asked, "Do you think that philosophy is only something beautiful, or also good?" "It is also good," he said. "Do you attribute this as proper to philosophy, or do you grant it to others in the same way? For example, is the study of gymnastics not only beautiful, but also good?" Then he, joking, brought forward two points: "Against this man," he said, "I say that it is neither; but against you, O Socrates, I confess that it is both beautiful and good at once." "Therefore, do you consider the study of gymnastics to be a great labor in the gymnasiums as well?" "Very much so," he said, "just as I think philosophy is to learn many things in philosophizing." I said, "Do you believe, then, that those who study gymnastics desire anything other than that their bodies be in good condition?" "That is the very thing," he said. "Do many labors produce a good condition of the body?" "How," he said, "could a robust body be made from few labors?" Here it seemed to me that the gymnast should be challenged, so that he, skilled in gymnastics, might bring me aid. I questioned him, therefore: "Why, O excellent man, do you remain silent while he speaks? Does it seem to you, too, that men acquire strength from many labors rather than from temperate ones?" "Indeed, O Socrates, I seem to see that which is commonly said, namely, that the body is in good condition from moderate [labors]." "From where do you see this?" I asked.