Gorgias

To join in a fight or a fray, as the saying is, Socrates, you have chosen your time well enough.

Do you mean, according to the proverb, we have come too late for a feast?

Yes, a most elegant feast; for Gorgias gave us a fine and varied display but a moment ago.

But indeed, Callicles, it is Chaerephon here who must take the blame for this; he forced us to spend our time in the market-place.

No matter, Socrates I will take the curing of it too for Gorgias is a friend of mine, so that he will give us a display now, if you think fit, or if you prefer, on another occasion.

What, Chaerephon? Has Socrates a desire to hear Gorgias?

Yes, it is for that very purpose we are here.

Then whenever you have a mind to pay me a call—Gorgias is staying with me, and he will give you a display.

Thank you, Callicles: but would he consent to discuss with us? For I want to find out from the man what is the function of his art, and what it is that he professes and teaches. As for the rest of his performance, he must give it us, as you suggest, on another occasion.

The best way is to ask our friend himself, Socrates: for indeed that was one of the features of his performance. Why, only this moment he was pressing for whatever questions anyone in the house might like to ask, and saying he would answer them all.

What a good idea! Ask him, Chaerephon.

What am I to ask?

What he is.

How do you mean?

Just as, if he chanced to be in the shoe-making business, his answer would have been, I presume, a shoemaker. Now, don’t you see my meaning?

I see, and will ask him. Tell me, Gorgias, is Callicles here correct in saying that you profess to answer any questions one may ask you?

He is, Chaerephon; indeed, I was just now making this very profession, and I may add that nobody has asked me anything new for many years now.

So I presume you will easily answer, Gorgias.

You are free to make trial of that, Chaerephon.

Yes, to be sure; and, if you like, Chaerephon, of me. For I think Gorgias must be quite tired out, after the long discourse he has just delivered.

Why, Polus, do you suppose you could answer more excellently than Gorgias?

And what does that matter, if I should satisfy you?

Not at all; since it is your wish, answer.

Ask.

Then I ask you, if Gorgias chanced to be skilled in the same art as his brother Herodicus, what should we be justified in calling him? What we call his brother, should we not?

Certainly.

Then we should make a right statement if we described him as a doctor.

Yes.

And if he were expert in the same art as Aristophon, son of Aglaophon, or his brother, what name should we rightly give him?