Page:The Dialogues of Plato v. 1.djvu/132
Laches.
Nic. Most true.
The means is some kind of knowledge; the end the improvement of the soul of youth. Soc. And at present we have in view some knowledge, of which the end is the soul of youth?
Nic. Yes.
Soc. And we arc enquiring, Which of us is skilful or successful in the treatment of the soul, and which of us has had good teachers?
Which of us can teach and has had good teachers? La. Well but, Socrates; did you never observe that some persons, who have had no teachers, are more skilful than those who have, in some things?
Soc. Yes, Laches, I have observed that ; but you would not be very willing to trust them if they only professed to be masters of their art, unless they could show some proof of their skill or excellence 186 in one or more works.
La. That is true.
We must either tell who our teachers are, or appeal to works of our own.
Soc. And therefore. Laches and Nicias, as Lysimachus and Melesias, in their anxiety to improve the minds of their sons, have asked our advice about them, we too should tell them who our teachers were, if we say that we have had any, and prove them to be in the first place men of merit and experienced trainers of the minds of youth and also to have been really our teachers. Or if any of us says that he has no teacher, but that he has works of his own to show; then he should point out to them what Athenians or strangers, bond or free, he is generally acknowledged to have improved. But if he can show neither teachers nor works, then he should tell them to look out for others; and not run the risk of spoiling the children of friends, and thereby incurring the most formidable accusation which can be brought against any one by those nearest to him. Socrates could nver afford a teacher, but Nicias and Laches may have learned of the Sophists, and their opinions might be of value if they only agreed with one another. As for myself, Lysimachus and Melesias, I am the first to confess that I have never had a teacher of the art of virtue; although I have always from my earliest youth desired to have one. But I am too poor to give money to the Sophists, who are the only professors of moral improvement; and to this day I have never been able to discover the art myself, though I should not be surprised if Nicias or Laches may have discovered or learned it; for they are far wealthier than I am, and may therefore have learnt of others. And they are older too; so that they have had more time to make the discovery. And I really