those
who enjoy repute and admiration belong to the class of those endowed
with the highest knowledge; whilst conversely the people of sinister
reputation, the mean and the contemptible, emanate from some depth of
ignorance and dulness. If therefore what you thirst for is repute and
admiration as a statesman, try to make sure of one accomplishment: in
other words, the knowledge as far as in you lies of what you wish to do.
(15) If, indeed, with this to distinguish you from the rest of the
world you venture to concern yourself with state affairs, it would not
surprise me but that you might reach the goal of your ambition easily.

(14) Or, "to talk of things which he does not know, or to meddle with
them."

(15) Or, "try as far as possible to achieve one thing, and that is to
know the business which you propose to carry out."

VII

Now Charmides, (1) the son of Glaucon, was, as Socrates observed, a man
of mark and influence: a much more powerful person in fact than the mass
of those devoted to politics at that date, but at the same time he was
a man who shrank from approaching the people or busying himself with the
concerns of the state. Accordingly Socrates addressed him thus:

(1) See last chapter for his relationship to Glaucon (the younger) and
Plato; for a conception of his character, Plato's dialogue
"Charmides"; "Theag." 128 E; "Hell." II. iv. 19; "Symp." iv. 31;
Grote, "Plato," i. 480.

Tell me, Charmides, supposing some one competent to win a victory in the
arena and to receive a crown, (2) whereby he will gain honour himself
and make the land of his fathers more glorious in Hellas, (3) were to
refuse to enter the lists--what kind of person should you set him down
to be?

(2) In some conquest (e.g. of the Olympic games) where the prize is a
mere wreath.

(3) Cf. Pindar passim.

Clearly an effeminate and cowardly fellow (he answered).

Soc. And what if another man, who had it in him, by devotion to affairs
of state, to exalt his city and win honour himself thereby, were to
shrink and hesitate and hang back--would he too not reasonably be
regarded as a coward?

Possibly (he answered); but why do you address these questions to me?

Because (replied Socrates) I think that you, who have this power, do
hesitate to devote yourself to matters which, as being a citizen, if for
no other reason, you are bound to take part in. (4)

(4) Or add, "and cannot escape from."

Cha