ate, or to dominate
his enemies--which things are the sources not only of advantage but of
deepest satisfaction (15)--to the continent and self-controlled it
is given to reap the fruits of them in their performance. It is the
incontinent who have neither part nor lot in any one of them. Since we
must be right in asserting that he is least concerned with such things
who has least ability to do them, being tied down to take an interest in
the pleasure which is nearest to hand.

(14) Or, "But indeed, if there be joy in the pursuit of any noble
study or of such accomplishments as shall enable," etc.

(15) Or, "of the highest pleasures."

Euthydemus replied: Socrates, you would say, it seems to me, that a man
who is mastered by the pleasures of the body has no concern at all with
virtue.

And what is the distinction, Euthydemus (he asked), between a man devoid
of self-control and the dullest of brute beasts? A man who foregoes all
height of aim, who gives up searching for the best and strives only to
gratify his sense of pleasure, (16) is he better than the silliest of
cattle? (17)... But to the self-controlled alone is it given to discover
the hid treasures. These, by word and by deed, they will pick out and
make selection of them according to their kinds, choosing deliberately
the good and holding aloof from the evil. (18) Thus (he added) it is
that a man reaches the zenith, as it were, of goodness and happiness,
thus it is that he becomes most capable of reasoning and discussion.
(19) The very name discussion ({dialegesthai}) is got from people coming
together and deliberating in common by picking out and selecting things
({dialegein}) according to their kinds. (20) A man then is bound to
prepare himself as much as possible for this business, and to pursue it
beyond all else with earnest resolution; for this is the right road to
excellence, this will make a man fittest to lead his fellows and be a
master in debate. (21)

(16) Or, "and seeks by hook and by crook to do what is pleasantest."

(17) i.e. he becomes an animal "feeding a blind life within the
brain."

(18) Or, "selecting the ore and repudiating the dross." Kuhner cf.
Plat. "Laws," v. 735 B.

(19) Or, "draws nearer to happiness and perfection, and is most
capable of truth-disclosing conversation." Cf. Plat. "Apol." 41:
"What would not a man give, O judges, to be able to examine the
leaders of the great Trojan expedition, or