gorgias   

heard, I think, that the docks and the walls of the Athenians and

the plan of the harbour were devised in accordance with the

counsels, partly of Themistocles, and partly of Pericles, and not at

the suggestion of the builders.

Soc. Such is the tradition, Gorgias, about Themistocles; and I

myself heard the speech of Pericles when he advised us about the

middle wall.

Gor. And you will observe, Socrates, that when a decision has to

be given in such matters the rhetoricians are the advisers; they are

the men who win their point.

Soc. I had that in my admiring mind, Gorgias, when I asked what is

the nature of rhetoric, which always appears to me, when I look at the

matter in this way, to be a marvel of greatness.

Gor. A marvel, indeed, Socrates, if you only knew how rhetoric

comprehends and holds under her sway all the inferior arts. Let me

offer you a striking example of this. On several occasions I have been

with my brother Herodicus or some other physician to see one of his

patients, who would not allow the physician to give him medicine, or

apply a knife or hot iron to him; and I have persuaded him to do for

me what he would not do for the physician just by the use of rhetoric.

And I say that if a rhetorician and a physician were to go to any

city, and had there to argue in the Ecclesia or any other assembly

as to which of them should be elected state-physician, the physician

would have no chance; but he who could speak would be chosen if he

wished; and in a contest with a man of any other profession the

rhetorician more than any one would have the power of getting

himself chosen, for he can speak more persuasively to the multitude

than any of them, and on any subject. Such is the nature and power

of the art of rhetoric And yet, Socrates, rhetoric should be used like

any other competitive art, not against everybody-the rhetorician ought

not to abuse his strength any more than a pugilist or pancratiast or

other master of fence; because he has powers which are more than a