Gonzalez Lodge, Commentary on Plato: Gorgias

ἄπειρον γεγονέναι: “a man cannot practise philosophy and at the same time fulfil the requirements of his civil position.” The καλὸς κἀγαθός, according to the idea of Callicles, is shown by the addition of εὐδόκιμος, to be the man who, through practical activity, obtains reputation and honor. With μέλλω we find the pres. and fut. almost equally common, the aor. exceptional.

τῶν νόμων: that Callicles is laying great stress on the knowledge of the laws in this passage, seems at first sight inconsistent with the view which he has already expressed; but in reality he has shifted his point of view but little, since he advocates the study of the laws, not for the purpose of following them, but as being necessary for the work of the practical statesman, whether he be in the senate or assembly, or hold any public position. The force, therefore, of νόμοι is much that of our “constitution.” The λόγοι οἷς δεῖ χρώμενον κτἑ. belong to the department of jurisprudence in both its divisions, individual and national. ξυμβόλαια is characterized in Rep. i. 333 a, as the variety of κοινωνήματα (i.e. mutual intercourse, trade, and commerce) in which δικαιοσύνη is of especial value. It denotes, accordingly, treaties and the law-business connected with them.

11 f.

τῶν ἡδονῶν κτἑ.: the enjoyment of life consists, according to Callicles, in satisfying the appetites.

τῶν ἠθῶν: can be considered as a general comprehensive term, in so far as we understand by it the peculiar traits of mind and character which impart individuality to a man.