SOCRATES: Yes, certainly, Anytus; and many good SOCRATES: But would he not have wanted? He statesmen also there always have been and there would, at any rate, have desired to make his own are still, in the city of Athens. But the question is son a good man and a gentleman; he could not have whether they were also good teachers of their been jealous of him, or have intentionally abstained own virtue;—not whether there are, or have been, from imparting to him his own virtue. Did you never good men in this part of the world, but whether hear that he made his son Cleophantus a famous virtue can be taught, is the question which we horseman; and had him taught to stand upright on have been discussing. Now, do we mean to say horseback and hurl a javelin, and to do many other that the good men of our own and of other times marvellous things; and in anything which could be knew how to impart to others that virtue which learned from a master he was well trained? Have they had themselves; or is virtue a thing inca-you not heard from our elders of him?
pable of being communicated or imparted by one ANYTUS: I have.
man to another? That is the question which I SOCRATES: Then no one could say that his son and Meno have been arguing. Look at the matter showed any want of capacity?
in your own way: Would you not admit that ANYTUS: Very likely not.
Themistocles was a good man?
SOCRATES: But did any one, old or young, ever ANYTUS: Certainly; no man better.
say in your hearing that Cleophantus, son of SOCRATES: And must not he then have been a Themistocles, was a wise or good man, as his good teacher, if any man ever was a good teacher, father was?
of his own virtue?
ANYTUS: I have certainly never heard any one ANYTUS: Yes certainly,—if he wanted to be so.
say so.