SOCRATES: And if virtue could have been taught, ANYTUS: I know.
would his father Themistocles have sought to SOCRATES: And you know, also, that he taught train him in these minor accomplishments, and them to be unrivalled horsemen, and had them allowed him who, as you must remember, was trained in music and gymnastics and all sorts of his own son, to be no better than his neighbours arts—in these respects they were on a level with in those qualities in which he himself excelled?
the best—and had he no wish to make good men ANYTUS: Indeed, indeed, I think not.
of them? Nay, he must have wished it. But vir-SOCRATES: Here was a teacher of virtue whom tue, as I suspect, could not be taught. And that you admit to be among the best men of the past.
you may not suppose the incompetent teachers Let us take another,—Aristides, the son of to be only the meaner sort of Athenians and few Lysimachus: would you not acknowledge that he in number, remember again that Thucydides had was a good man?
two sons, Melesias and Stephanus, whom, besides ANYTUS: To be sure I should.
giving them a good education in other things, SOCRATES: And did not he train his son Lysimachus he trained in wrestling, and they were the best better than any other Athenian in all that could be wrestlers in Athens: one of them he committed done for him by the help of masters? But what has to the care of Xanthias, and the other of Eudorus, been the result? Is he a bit better than any other who had the reputation of being the most cel-mortal? He is an acquaintance of yours, and you ebrated wrestlers of that day. Do you remember see what he is like. There is Pericles, again, mag-them?
nificent in his wisdom; and he, as you are aware, ANYTUS: I have heard of them.
had two sons, Paralus and Xanthippus.
SOCRATES: Now, can there be a doubt that 63
Meno
Thucydides, whose children were taught things SOCRATES: O Meno, think that Anytus is in a for which he had to spend money, would have rage. And he may well be in a rage, for he thinks, taught them to be good men, which would have in the first place, that I am defaming these gentle-cost him nothing, if virtue could have been men; and in the second place, he is of opinion taught? Will you reply that he was a mean man, that he is one of them himself. But some day he and had not many friends among the Athenians will know what is the meaning of defamation, and allies? Nay, but he was of a great family, and and if he ever does, he will forgive me. Mean-a man of influence at Athens and in all Hellas, while I will return to you, Meno; for I suppose and, if virtue could have been taught, he would that there are gentlemen in your region too?
have found out some Athenian or foreigner who MENO: Certainly there are.
would have made good men of his sons, if he SOCRATES: And are they willing to teach the could not himself spare the time from cares of young? and do they profess to be teachers? and state. Once more, I suspect, friend Anytus, that do they agree that virtue is taught?
virtue is not a thing which can be taught?
MENO: No indeed, Socrates, they are anything ANYTUS: Socrates, I think that you are too ready but agreed; you may hear them saying at one to speak evil of men: and, if you will take my time that virtue can be taught, and then again advice, I would recommend you to be careful.
the reverse.
Perhaps there is no city in which it is not easier SOCRATES: Can we call those teachers who do to do men harm than to do them good, and this not acknowledge the possibility of their own vo-is certainly the case at Athens, as I believe that cation?
you know.
MENO: I think not, Socrates.