rbing that he has no leisure for anything else, save how he may add
to his gains?

Cri. Hold aloof from him, say I, since there is no good to be got out of
him or his society.

Soc. Well! what of the quarrelsome and factious person (4) whose main
object is to saddle his friends with a host of enemies?

(4) "The partisan."

Cri. For God's sake let us avoid him also.

Soc. But now we will imagine a man exempt indeed from all the above
defects--a man who has no objection to receive kindnesses, but it never
enters into his head to do a kindness in return.

Cri. There will be no good in him either. But, Socrates, what kind of
man shall we endeavour to make our friend? what is he like?

Soc. I should say he must be just the converse of the above: he has
control over the pleasures of the body, he is kindly disposed, (5)
upright in all his dealings, (6) very zealous is he not to be outdone in
kindness by his benefactors, if only his friends may derive some profit
from his acquaintance.

(5) Reading {eunous}, or if {euorkos}, transl. "a man of his word."

(6) Or, "easy to deal with."

Cri. But how are we to test these qualities, Socrates, before
acquaintance?

Soc. How do we test the merits of a sculptor?--not by inferences drawn
from the talk of the artist merely. No, we look to what he has already
achieved. These former statues of his were nobly executed, and we trust
he will do equally well with the rest.

Cri. You mean that if we find a man whose kindness to older friends
is established, we may take it as proved that he will treat his newer
friends as amiably?

Soc. Why, certainly, if I see a man who has shown skill in the handling
of horses previously, I argue that he will handle others no less
skilfully again.

Cri. Good! and when we have discovered a man whose friendship is worth
having, how ought we to make him our friend?

Soc. First we ought to ascertain the will of Heaven whether it be
advisable to make him our friend.

Cri. Well! and how are we to effect the capture of this friend of our
choice, whom the gods approve? will you tell me that?

Not, in good sooth (replied Socrates), by running him down like a hare,
nor by decoying him like a bird, or by force like a wild boar. (7) To
capture a friend against his will is a toilsome business, and to bind
him in fetters like a slave by no means easy. Those who are so treated
are apt to become foes instead of friends. (8)

(7) Reading {kaproi}, a