Platos Gorgias
GORGIAS: That good, Socrates, which is truly the great-SOCRATES: Then hear me, Gorgias, for I am quite sure est, being that which gives to men freedom in their own that if there ever was a man who entered on the discussion persons, and to individuals the power of ruling over others of a matter from a pure love of knowing the truth, I am in their several states.
such a one, and I should say the same of you.
SOCRATES: And what would you consider this to be?
GORGIAS: What is coming, Socrates?
GORGIAS: What is there greater than the word which SOCRATES: I will tell you: I am very well aware that I do persuades the judges in the courts, or the senators in the not know what, according to you, is the exact nature, or council, or the citizens in the assembly, or at any other po-what are the topics of that persuasion of which you speak, litical meeting?if you have the power of uttering this word, and which is given by rhetoric; although I have a suspicion you will have the physician your slave, and the trainer your about both the one and the other. And I am going to ask
slave, and the money-maker of whom you talk will be found what is this power of persuasion which is given by rhetoric, to gather treasures, not for himself, but for you who are and about what? But why, if I have a suspicion, do I ask able to speak and to persuade the multitude.
instead of telling you? Not for your sake, but in order that the argument may proceed in such a manner as is most SOCRATES: Now I think, Gorgias, that you have very ac-likely to set forth the truth. And I would have you observe, curately explained what you conceive to be the art of rheto-that I am right in asking this further question: If I asked, ric; and you mean to say, if I am not mistaken, that rhetoric
What sort of a painter is Zeuxis? and you said, The painter is the artificer of persuasion, having this and no other busi-of figures, should I not be right in asking, What kind of ness, and that this is her crown and end. Do you know any figures, and where do you find them?
other effect of rhetoric over and above that of producing persuasion?
GORGIAS: Certainly.
GORGIAS: No: the definition seems to me very fair, SOCRATES: And the reason for asking this second ques-Socrates; for persuasion is the chief end of rhetoric.
tion would be, that there are other painters besides, who paint many other figures?