gorgias   

producing persuasion?

Gor. No: the definition seems to me very fair, Socrates; for

persuasion is the chief end of rhetoric.

Soc. Then hear me, Gorgias, for I am quite sure that if there ever

was a man who-entered on the discussion of a matter from a pure love

of knowing the truth, I am such a one, and I should say the same of

you.

Gor. What is coming, Socrates?

Soc. I will tell you: I am very well aware that do not know what,

according to you, is the exact nature, or what are the topics of

that persuasion of which you speak, and which is given by rhetoric;

although I have a suspicion about both the one and the other. And I am

going to ask-what is this power of persuasion which is given by

rhetoric, and about what? But why, if I have a suspicion, do I ask

instead of telling you? Not for your sake, but in order that the

argument may proceed in such a manner as is most likely to set forth

the truth. And I would have you observe, that I am right in asking

this further question: If I asked, "What sort of a painter is Zeuxis?"

and you said, "The painter of figures," should I not be right in

asking, What kind of figures, and where do you find them?"

Gor. Certainly.

Soc. And the reason for asking this second question would be, that

there are other painters besides, who paint many other figures?

Gor. True.

Soc. But if there had been no one but Zeuxis who painted them,

then you would have answered very well?

Gor. Quite so.

Soc. Now I was it to know about rhetoric in the same way;-is

rhetoric the only art which brings persuasion, or do other arts have

the same effect? I mean to say-Does he who teaches anything persuade

men of that which he teaches or not?

Gor. He persuades, Socrates,-there can be no mistake about that.