meno   

all Hellas, and, if virtue could have been taught, he would have found

out some Athenian or foreigner who would have made good men of his

sons, if he could not himself spare the time from cares of state. Once

more, I suspect, friend Anytus, that virtue is not a thing which can

be taught?

Any. Socrates, I think that you are too ready to speak evil of

men: and, if you will take my advice, I would recommend you to be

careful. Perhaps there is no city in which it is not easier to do

men harm than to do them good, and this is certainly the case at

Athens, as I believe that you know.

Soc. O Meno, think that Anytus is in a rage. And he may well be in a

rage, for he thinks, in the first place, that I am defaming these

gentlemen; and in the second place, he is of opinion that he is one of

them himself. But some day he will know what is the meaning of

defamation, and if he ever does, he will forgive me. Meanwhile I

will return to you, Meno; for I suppose that there are gentlemen in

your region too?

Men. Certainly there are.

Soc. And are they willing to teach the young? and do they profess to

be teachers? and do they agree that virtue is taught?

Men. No indeed, Socrates, they are anything but agreed; you may hear

them saying at one time that virtue can be taught, and then again

the reverse.

Soc. Can we call those teachers who do not acknowledge the

possibility of their own vocation?

Men. I think not, Socrates.

Soc. And what do you think of these Sophists, who are the only

professors? Do they seem to you to be teachers of virtue?

Men. I often wonder, Socrates, that Gorgias is never heard promising

to teach virtue: and when he hears others promising he only laughs

at them; but he thinks that men should be taught to speak.

Soc. Then do you not think that the Sophists are teachers?