meno   

about him, if, as you say, he was born and bred in your house.

Men. And I am certain that no one ever did teach him.

Soc. And yet he has the knowledge?

Men. The fact, Socrates, is undeniable.

Soc. But if he did not acquire the knowledge in this life, then he

must have had and learned it at some other time?

Men. Clearly he must.

Soc. Which must have been the time when he was not a man?

Men. Yes.

Soc. And if there have been always true thoughts in him, both at the

time when he was and was not a man, which only need to be awakened

into knowledge by putting questions to him, his soul must have

always possessed this knowledge, for he always either was or was not a

man?

Men. Obviously.

Soc. And if the truth of all things always existed in the soul, then

the soul is immortal. Wherefore be of good cheer, and try to recollect

what you do not know, or rather what you do not remember.

Men. I feel, somehow, that I like what you are saying.

Soc. And I, Meno, like what I am saying. Some things I have said

of which I am not altogether confident. But that we shall be better

and braver and less helpless if we think that we ought to enquire,

than we should have been if we indulged in the idle fancy that there

was no knowing and no use in seeking to know what we do not know;-that

is a theme upon which I am ready to fight, in word and deed, to the

utmost of my power.

Men. There again, Socrates, your words seem to me excellent.

Soc. Then, as we are agreed that a man should enquire about that

which he does not know, shall you and I make an effort to enquire

together into the nature of virtue?

Men. By all means, Socrates. And yet I would much rather return to

my original question, Whether in seeking to acquire virtue we should