ren, intermingle in marriage?

Soc. The greatest of all penalties; for what worse calamity can human
beings suffer in the production of offspring than to misbeget? (36)

(36) Or, "in the propagation of the species than to produce
misbegotten children."

Hipp. But how or why should they breed them ill where nothing hinders
them, being of a good stock themselves and producing from stock as good?

Soc. Because, forsooth, in order to produce good children, it is not
simply necessary that the parents should be good and of a good stock,
but that both should be equally in the prime and vigour of their bodies.
(37) Do you suppose that the seed of those who are at their prime is
like theirs who either have not yet reached their prime, or whose prime
has passed?

(37) Cf. Plat. "Laws," viii. 839 A; Herbst, etc., cf. Grotius, "de
Jure," ii. 5, xii. 4.

Hipp. No, it is reasonable to expect that the seed will differ.

Soc. And for the better--which?

Hipp. Theirs clearly who are at their prime.

Soc. It would seem that the seed of those who are not yet in their prime
or have passed their prime is not good?

Hipp. It seems most improbable it should be.

Soc. Then the right way to produce children is not that way?

Hipp. No, that is not the right way.

Soc. Then children who are so produced are produced not as they ought to
be?

Hipp. So it appears to me.

What offspring then (he asked) will be ill produced, ill begotten, and
ill born, if not these?

I subscribe to that opinion also (replied Hippias).

Soc. Well, it is a custom universally respected, is it not, to return
good for good, and kindness with kindness?

Hipp. Yes, a custom, but one which again is apt to be transgressed.

Soc. Then he that so transgresses it pays penalty in finding himself
isolated; bereft of friends who are good, and driven to seek after those
who love him not. Or is it not so that he who does me kindness in
my intercourse with him is my good friend, but if I requite not this
kindness to my benefactor, I am hated by him for my ingratitude, and yet
I must needs pursue after him and cling to him because of the great gain
to me of his society?

Hipp. Yes, Socrates. In all these cases, I admit, there is an
implication of divine authority; (38) that a law should in itself be
loaded with the penalty of its transgression does suggest to my mind a
higher than human type of legislator.

(38) Lit. "Yes, upon my word, Socrates, al