EUTHYPHRO: True.
ers of the gods what he ought to do with him, SOCRATES: And the gods are in the same case, dies unjustly; and that on behalf of such an one if as you assert they quarrel about just and un-a son ought to proceed against his father and just, and some of them say while others deny accuse him of murder. How would you show that that injustice is done among them. For surely all the gods absolutely agree in approving of his neither God nor man will ever venture to say act? Prove to me that they do, and I will applaud that the doer of injustice is not to be punished?
your wisdom as long as I live.
EUTHYPHRO: That is true, Socrates, in the main.
EUTHYPHRO: It will be a difficult task; but I could SOCRATES: But they join issue about the particu-make the matter very clear indeed to you.
lars—gods and men alike; and, if they dispute at SOCRATES: I understand; you mean to say that I all, they dispute about some act which is called am not so quick of apprehension as the judges: in question, and which by some is affirmed to be for to them you will be sure to prove that the act just, by others to be unjust. Is not that true?
is unjust, and hateful to the gods.
EUTHYPHRO: Quite true.
EUTHYPHRO: Yes indeed, Socrates; at least if SOCRATES: Well then, my dear friend Euthyphro, they will listen to me.
do tell me, for my better instruction and infor-SOCRATES: But they will be sure to listen if they mation, what proof have you that in the opinion find that you are a good speaker. There was a of all the gods a servant who is guilty of murder, notion that came into my mind while you were and is put in chains by the master of the dead speaking; I said to myself: ‘Well, and what if man, and dies because he is put in chains before Euthyphro does prove to me that all the gods he who bound him can learn from the interpret-regarded the death of the serf as unjust, how do 20
Euthyphro
I know anything more of the nature of piety and gods love is pious and holy, and the opposite impiety? for granting that this action may be which they all hate, impious.
hateful to the gods, still piety and impiety are SOCRATES: Ought we to enquire into the truth not adequately defined by these distinctions, for of this, Euthyphro, or simply to accept the mere that which is hateful to the gods has been shown statement on our own authority and that of oth-to be also pleasing and dear to them.’ And there-ers? What do you say?
fore, Euthyphro, I do not ask you to prove this; I EUTHYPHRO: We should enquire; and I believe will suppose, if you like, that all the gods con-that the statement will stand the test of enquiry.
demn and abominate such an action. But I will SOCRATES: We shall know better, my good friend, amend the definition so far as to say that what in a little while. The point which I should first all the gods hate is impious, and what they love wish to understand is whether the pious or holy pious or holy; and what some of them love and is beloved by the gods because it is holy, or holy others hate is both or neither. Shall this be our because it is beloved of the gods.
definition of piety and impiety?
EUTHYPHRO: I do not understand your mean-EUTHYPHRO: Why not, Socrates?
ing, Socrates.
SOCRATES: Why not! certainly, as far as I am SOCRATES: I will endeavour to explain: we, speak concerned, Euthyphro, there is no reason why of carrying and we speak of being carried, of lead-not. But whether this admission will greatly asing and being led, seeing and being seen. You sist you in the task of instructing me as you prom-know that in all such cases there is a difference, ised, is a matter for you to consider.
and you know also in what the difference lies?
EUTHYPHRO: Yes, I should say that what all the EUTHYPHRO: I think that I understand.