SOCRATES: And if there were teachers, it might SOCRATES: But if virtue is not taught, neither is be taught; and if there were no teachers, not?
virtue knowledge.
MENO: True.
MENO: Clearly not.
SOCRATES: But surely we acknowledged that SOCRATES: Then of two good and useful things, there were no teachers of virtue?
one, which is knowledge, has been set aside, and MENO: Yes.
cannot be supposed to be our guide in political life.
SOCRATES: Then we acknowledged that it was MENO: I think not.
not taught, and was not wisdom?
SOCRATES: And therefore not by any wisdom, MENO: Certainly.
and not because they were wise, did Themistocles SOCRATES: And yet we admitted that it was a and those others of whom Anytus spoke govern good?
states. This was the reason why they were un-MENO: Yes.
able to make others like themselves—because SOCRATES: And the right guide is useful and their virtue was not grounded on knowledge.
good?
MENO: That is probably true, Socrates.
MENO: Certainly.
SOCRATES: But if not by knowledge, the only al-SOCRATES: And the only right guides are knowl-ternative which remains is that statesmen must edge and true opinion—these are the guides of have guided states by right opinion, which is in man; for things which happen by chance are not politics what divination is in religion; for divin-under the guidance of man: but the guides of ers and also prophets say many things truly, but man are true opinion and knowledge.
they know not what they say.
MENO: I think so too.
MENO: So I believe.