There are the worthy sophists too-the excellent Prodicus for example, who have descanted in prose on the virtues of Heracles and other heroes and, what is still more extraordinary, I have met with a philosophical work in which the utility of salt has been made the theme of an eloquent discourse and many other like things have had a like honour bestowed upon them. For often he says to me in an indignant tone:-’What a strange thing it is, Eryximachus, that, whereas other gods have poems and hymns made in their honour, the great and glorious god, Love, has no encomiast among all the poets who are so many. Which I am about to speak, but that of Phaedrus. But I certainly know of you what you only think of me-there is the difference.ĬOMPANION: 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 not how you acquired, of Apollodorus the madman for you are always raging against yourself and everybody but Socrates.ĪPOLLODORUS: 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. And I dare say that you pity me in return, whom you regard as an unhappy creature, and very probably you are right. 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. For to speak or to hear others speak of philosophy always gives me the greatest pleasure, to say nothing of the profit. 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.
Moreover, I have asked Socrates about the truth of some parts of his narrative, and he confirmed them.
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.
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.
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