[331d]
to one who was in
that state.” “You are right,” he replied.
“Then this is not the definition of justice: to tell the truth and
return what one has received.” “Nay, but it is,
Socrates,” said Polemarchus breaking in, “if indeed we
are to put any faith in Simonides.” “Very
well,” said Cephalus, “indeed I make over the whole
argument1 to you. For it is time for
me to attend the sacrifices.” “Well,” said I,
“is not Polemarchus the heir of everything that is
yours?” “Certainly,” said he with a laugh, and
at the same time went out to the sacred rites.2
1 The argument, or one side of it, is often treated as a thesis which may be thus transferred. Cf. Philebus 12 A, Charmides 162 E, Protagoras 331 A.
2 Cicero Ad Att. iv. 16 “Credo Platonem vix putasse satis consonum fore, si hominem id aetatis in tam longo sermone diutius retinuisset,” Bagehot, Hartley Coleridge, “It (metaphysical debate) attracts the scorn of middle-aged men, who depart πρὸς τὰ ἱερά,” etc.
Plato. Plato in Twelve Volumes, Vols. 5 & 6 translated by Paul Shorey. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1969.
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