That is very likely, he said.
How very strange, Socrates!
That is very likely, I said; and very likely, too, we have By the dog of Egypt, I said, there I agree with you; and I been enquiring to no purpose; as I am led to infer, because was thinking as much just now when I said that strange I observe that if this is wisdom, some strange consequences consequences would follow, and that I was afraid we were would follow. Let us, if you please, assume the possibility on the wrong track; for however ready we may be to admit of this science of sciences, and further admit and allow, as that this is wisdom, I certainly cannot make out what good 26
“Charmides” – Plato
this sort of thing does to us.
the future, will be under the control of wisdom, and that What do you mean? he said; I wish that you could make she will deter deceivers and set up the true prophets in me understand what you mean.
their place as the revealers of the future. Now I quite agree I dare say that what I am saying is nonsense, I replied; that mankind, thus provided, would live and act according and yet if a man has any feeling of what is due to himself, to knowledge, for wisdom would watch and prevent igno-he cannot let the thought which comes into his mind pass rance from intruding on us. But whether by acting accord-away unheeded and unexamined.
ing to knowledge we shall act well and be happy, my dear I like that, he said.
Critias,—this is a point which we have not yet been able to Hear, then, I said, my own dream; whether coming determine.
through the horn or the ivory gate, I cannot tell. The dream Yet I think, he replied, that if you discard knowledge, is this: Let us suppose that wisdom is such as we are now you will hardly find the crown of happiness in anything defining, and that she has absolute sway over us; then each else.
action will be done according to the arts or sciences, and But of what is this knowledge? I said. Just answer me no one professing to be a pilot when he is not, or any phy-that small question. Do you mean a knowledge of sician or general, or any one else pretending to know mat-shoemaking?
ters of which he is ignorant, will deceive or elude us; our God forbid.
health will be improved; our safety at sea, and also in battle, Or of working in brass?
will be assured; our coats and shoes, and all other instru-Certainly not.
ments and implements will be skilfully made, because the Or in wool, or wood, or anything of that sort?
workmen will be good and true. Aye, and if you please, No, I do not.
you may suppose that prophecy, which is the knowledge of Then, I said, we are giving up the doctrine that he who 27
“Charmides” – Plato
lives according to knowledge is happy, for these live ac-Or of computation?
cording to knowledge, and yet they are not allowed by you No.
to be happy; but I think that you mean to confine happi-Or of health?
ness to particular individuals who live according to knowl-That is nearer the truth, he said.
edge, such for example as the prophet, who, as I was say-And that knowledge which is nearest of all, I said, is the ing, knows the future. Is it of him you are speaking or of knowledge of what?
some one else?
The knowledge with which he discerns good and evil.
Yes, I mean him, but there are others as well.
Monster! I said; you have been carrying me round in a Yes, I said, some one who knows the past and present as circle, and all this time hiding from me the fact that the life well as the future, and is ignorant of nothing. Let us sup-according to knowledge is not that which makes men act pose that there is such a person, and if there is, you will rightly and be happy, not even if knowledge include all the allow that he is the most knowing of all living men.
sciences, but one science only, that of good and evil. For, Certainly he is.
let me ask you, Critias, whether, if you take away this, Yet I should like to know one thing more: which of the medicine will not equally give health, and shoemaking different kinds of knowledge makes him happy? or do all equally produce shoes, and the art of the weaver clothes?—
equally make him happy?
whether the art of the pilot will not equally save our lives at Not all equally, he replied.
sea, and the art of the general in war?
But which most tends to make him happy? the knowl-Quite so.
edge of what past, present, or future thing? May I infer this And yet, my dear Critias, none of these things will be to be the knowledge of the game of draughts?
well or beneficially done, if the science of the good be wanting.
Nonsense about the game of draughts.