gorgias   

Soc. Then he is benefited?

Pol. Yes.

Soc. Do I understand you to mean what I mean by the term

"benefited"? I mean, that if he be justly punished his soul is

improved.

Pol. Surely.

Soc. Then he who is punished is delivered from the evil of his soul?

Pol. Yes.

Soc. And is he not then delivered from the greatest evil? Look at

the matter in this way:-In respect of a man's estate, do you see any

greater evil than poverty?

Pol. There is no greater evil.

Soc. Again, in a man's bodily frame, you would say that the evil

is weakness and disease and deformity?

Pol. I should.

Soc. And do you not imagine that the soul likewise has some evil

of her own?

Pol. Of course.

Soc. And this you would call injustice and ignorance and

cowardice, and the like?

Pol. Certainly.

Soc. So then, in mind, body, and estate, which are three, you have

pointed out three corresponding evils-injustice, disease, poverty?

Pol. True.

Soc. And which of the evils is the most disgraceful?-Is not the most

disgraceful of them injustice, and in general the evil of the soul?

Pol. By far the most.

Soc. And if the most disgraceful, then also the worst?

Pol. What do you mean, Socrates?

Soc. I mean to say, that is most disgraceful has been already

admitted to be most painful or hurtful, or both.

Pol. Certainly.