gorgias   

Soc. And now injustice and all evil in the soul has been admitted by

to be most disgraceful?

Pol. It has been admitted.

Soc. And most disgraceful either because most painful and causing

excessive pain, or most hurtful, or both?

Pol. Certainly.

Soc. And therefore to be unjust and intemperate, and cowardly and

ignorant, is more painful than to be poor and sick?

Pol. Nay, Socrates; the painfulness does not appear to me to

follow from your premises.

Soc. Then, if, as you would argue, not more painful, the evil of the

soul is of all evils the most disgraceful; and the excess of

disgrace must be caused by some preternatural greatness, or

extraordinary hurtfulness of the evil.

Pol. Clearly.

Soc. And that which exceeds most in hurtfulness will be the greatest

of evils?

Pol. Yes.

Soc. Then injustice and intemperance, and in general the depravity

of the soul, are the greatest of evils!

Pol. That is evident.

Soc. Now, what art is there which delivers us from poverty? Does not

the art of making money?

Pol. Yes.

Soc. And what art frees us from disease? Does not the art of

medicine?

Pol. Very true.

Soc. And what from vice and injustice? If you are not able to answer

at once, ask yourself whither we go with the sick, and to whom we take

them.

Pol. To the physicians, Socrates.

Soc. And to whom do we go with the unjust and intemperate?