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symposium-第1章

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                                     360 BC
                                   SYMPOSIUM
                                    by Plato
                         translated by Benjamin Jowett
SYMPOSIUM
  PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE: APOLLODORUS; who repeats to his companion the dialogue which he had heard from Aristodemus; and had already once narrated to Glaucon; PHAEDRUS; PAUSANIAS; ERYXIMACHUS; ARISTOPHANES; AGATHON; SOCRATES; ALCIBIADES; A TROOP OF REVELLERS。 Scene: The House of Agathon。

  Concerning the things about which you ask to be informed I believe that I am not ill…prepared with an answer。 For the day before yesterday I was coming from my own home at Phalerum to the city; and one of my acquaintance; who had caught a sight of me from behind; hind; out playfully in the distance; said: Apollodorus; O thou Phalerian man; halt! So I did as I was bid; and then he said; I was looking for you; Apollodorus; only just now; that I might ask you about the speeches in praise of love; which were delivered by Socrates; Alcibiades; and others; at Agathon's supper。 Phoenix; the son of Philip; told another person who told me of them; his narrative was very indistinct; but he said that you knew; and I wish that you would give me an account of them。 Who; if not you; should be the reporter of the words of your friend? And first tell me; he said; were you present at this meeting?   Your informant; Glaucon; I said; must have been very indistinct indeed; if you imagine that the occasion was recent; or that I could have been of the party。   Why; yes; he replied; I thought so。   Impossible: I said。 Are you ignorant that for many years Agathon has not resided at Athens; and not three have elapsed since I became acquainted with Socrates; and have made it my daily business to know all that he says and does。 There was a time when I was running about the world; fancying myself to be well employed; but I was really a most wretched thing; no better than you are now。 I thought that I ought to do anything rather than be a philosopher。   Well; he said; jesting apart; tell me when the meeting occurred。   In our boyhood; I replied; when Agathon won the prize with his first tragedy; on the day after that on which he and his chorus offered the sacrifice of victory。   Then it must have been a long while ago; he said; and who told you…did Socrates?   No indeed; I replied; but the same person who told Phoenix;…he was a little fellow; who never wore any shoes Aristodemus; of the deme of Cydathenaeum。 He had been at Agathon's feast; and I think that in those days there was no one who was a more devoted admirer of Socrates。 Moreover; I have asked Socrates about the truth of some parts of his narrative; and he confirmed them。 Then; said Glaucon; let us have the tale over again; is not the road to Athens just made for conversation? And so we walked; and talked of the discourses on love; and therefore; as I said at first; I am not ill…prepared to comply with your request; and will have another rehearsal of them if you like。 For to speak or to hear others speak of philosophy always gives me the greatest pleasure; to say nothing of the profit。 But when I hear another strain; especially that of you rich men and traders; such conversation displeases me; and I pity you who are my companions; because you think that you are doing something when in reality you are doing nothing。 And I dare say that you pity me in return; whom you regard as an unhappy creature; and very probably you are right。 But I certainly know of you what you only think of me…there is the difference。   Companion。 I see; Apollodorus; that you are just the same…always speaking evil of yourself; and of others; and I do believe that you pity all mankind; with the exception of Socrates; yourself first of all; true in this to your old name; which; however deserved I know how you acquired; of Apollodorus the madman; for you are always raging against yourself and everybody but Socrates。   Apollodorus。 Yes; friend; and the reason why I am said to be mad; and out of my wits; is just because I have these notions of myself and you; no other evidence is required。   Com。 No more of that; Apollodorus; but let me renew my request that you would repeat the conversation。   Apoll。 Well; the tale of love was on this wise:…But perhaps I had better begin at the beginning; and endeavour to give you the exact words of Aristodemus:   He said that he met Socrates fresh from the bath and sandalled; and as the sight of the sandals was unusual; he asked him whither he was going that he had been converted into such a beau:…   To a banquet at Agathon's; he replied; whose invitation to his sacrifice of victory I refused yesterday; fearing a crowd; but promising that I would come to…day instead; and so I have put on my finery; because he is such a fine man。 What say you to going with me unasked?   I will do as you bid me; I replied。   Follow then; he said; and let us demolish the proverb:

    To the feasts of inferior men the good unbidden go;

instead of which our proverb will run:…

    To the feasts of the good the good unbidden go;

and this alteration may be supported by the authority of Homer himself; who not only demolishes but literally outrages the proverb。 For; after picturing Agamemnon as the most valiant of men; he makes Menelaus; who is but a fainthearted warrior; come unbidden to the banquet of Agamemnon; who is feasting and offering sacrifices; not the better to the worse; but the worse to the better。   I rather fear; Socrates; said Aristodemus; lest this may still be my case; and that; like Menelaus in Homer; I shall be the inferior person; who

    To the leasts of the wise unbidden goes。

But I shall say that I was bidden of you; and then you will have to make an excuse。

    Two going together;

he replied; in Homeric fashion; one or other of them may invent an excuse by the way。   This was the style of their conversation as they went along。 Socrates dropped behind in a fit of abstraction; and desired Aristodemus; who was waiting; to go on before him。 When he reached the house of Agathon he found the doors wide open; and a comical thing happened。 A servant coming out met him; and led him at once into the banqueting…hall in which the guests were reclining; for the banquet was about to begin。 Welcome; Aristodemus; said Agathon; as soon as he appeared…you are just in time to sup with us; if you come on any other matter put it off; and make one of us; as I was looking for you yesterday and meant to have asked you; if I could have found you。 But what have you done with Socrates?   I turned round; but Socrates was nowhere to be seen; and I had to explain that he had been with me a moment before; and that I came by his invitation to the supper。   You were quite right in coming; said Agathon; but where is he himself?   He was behind me just now; as I entered; he said; and I cannot think what has become of him。   Go and look for him; boy; said Agathon; and bring him in; and do you; Aristodemus; meanwhile take the place by Eryximachus。   The servant then assisted him to wash; and he lay down; and presently another servant came in and reported that our friend Socrates had retired into the portico of the neighbouring house。 〃There he is fixed;〃 said he; 〃and when I call to him he will not stir。〃   How strange; said Agathon; then you must call him again; and keep calling him。   Let him alone; said my informant; he has a way of stopping anywhere and losing himself without any reason。 I believe that he will soon appear; do not therefore disturb him。   Well; if you think so; I will leave him; said Agathon。 And then; turning to the servants; he added; 〃Let us have supper without waiting for him。 Serve up whatever you please; for there; is no one to give you orders; hitherto I have never left you to yourselves。 But on this occasion imagine that you art our hosts; and that I and the company are your guests; treat us well; and then we shall commend you。〃 After this; supper was served; but still no…Socrates; and during the meal Agathon several times expressed a wish to send for him; but Aristodemus objected; and at last when the feast was about half over…for the fit; as usual; was not of long duration…Socrates entered; Ag
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