you long ago?

(13) This tale is repeated by Dio Chrys. "Or." III. i. 109. Cf. Plat.
"Gorg." 490 E.

Yes (answered Socrates), and what is still more strange, Hippias, it is
not only the same old talk but about the same old subjects. Now you, I
daresay, through versatility of knowledge, (14) never say the same thing
twice over on the same subject?

(14) Or, "such is the breadth of your learning," {polumathes}. Cf.
Plat. "Hipp. maj."

To be sure (he answered), my endeavour is to say something new on all
occasions.

What (he asked) about things which you know, as for instance in a case
of spelling, if any one asks you, "How many letters in Socrates, and
what is their order?" (15) I suppose you try to run off one string of
letters to-day and to-morrow another? or to a question of arithmetic,
"Does twice five make ten?" your answer to-day will differ from that of
yesterday?

(15) Cf. "Econ." viii. 14; Plat. "Alc." i. 113 A.

Hipp. No; on these topics, Socrates, I do as you do and repeat myself.
However, to revert to justice (and uprightness), (16) I flatter myself
I can at present furnish you with some remarks which neither you nor any
one else will be able to controvert.

(16) Or, "on the topic of the just I have something to say at present
which," etc.

By Hera! (17) (he exclaimed), what a blessing to have discovered! (18)
Now we shall have no more divisions of opinion on points of right and
wrong; judges will vote unanimously; citizens will cease wrangling;
there will be no more litigation, no more party faction, states will
reconcile their differences, and wars are ended. For my part I do not
know how I can tear myself away from you, until I have heard from your
own lips all about the grand discovery you have made.

(17) See above, I. v. 5.

(18) Or, "what a panacea are you the inventor of"; lit. "By Hera, you
have indeed discovered a mighty blessing, if juries are to cease
recording their verdicts 'aye' and 'no'; if citizens are to cease
their wranglings on points of justice, their litigations, and
their party strifes; if states are to cease differing on matters
of right and wrong and appealing to the arbitrament of war."

You shall hear all in good time (Hippias answered), but not until you
make a plain statement of your own belief. What is justice? We have had
enough of your ridiculing all the rest of the world, questioning and
cross-examining first one and then