So is it with wisdom; he who sells it for money to the
first bidder we name a sophist, (8) as though one should say a man who
prostitutes his wisdom; but if the same man, discerning the noble nature
of another, shall teach that other every good thing, and make him his
friend, of such a one we say he does that which it is the duty of every
good citizen of gentle soul to do. In accordance with this theory, I
too, Antiphon, having my tastes, even as another finds pleasure in his
horse and his hounds, (9) and another in his fighting cocks, so I too
take my pleasure in good friends; and if I have any good thing myself I
teach it them, or I commend them to others by whom I think they will be
helped forwards on the path of virtue. The treasures also of the wise of
old, written and bequeathed in their books, (10) I unfold and peruse in
common with my friends. If our eye light upon any good thing we cull it
eagerly, and regard it as great gain if we may but grow in friendship
with one another.

(7) Add "and a sign of modesty," {sophrona nomizomen}.

(8) {sophistas}. See Grote, "H. G." viii. 482 foll.; "Hunting," xi.
foll.

(9) Cf. Plat. "Lys." 211 E.

(10) Cf. "Symp." iv. 27.

As I listened to this talk I could not but reflect that he, the master,
was a person to be envied, and that we, his hearers, were being led by
him to beauty and nobility of soul.

Again on some occasion the same Antiphon asked Socrates how he expected
to make politicians of others when, even if he had the knowledge, he did
not engage in politics himself.

Socrates replied: I will put to you a question, Antiphon: Which were
the more statesmanlike proceeding, to practise politics myself
single-handed, or to devote myself to making as many others as possible
fit to engage in that pursuit?

VII

Let us here turn and consider whether by deterring his associates from
quackery and false seeming he did not directly stimulate them to the
pursuit of virtue. (1) He used often to say there was no better road
to renown than the one by which a man became good at that wherein he
desired to be reputed good. (2) The truth of the concept he enforced as
follows: "Let us reflect on what a man would be driven to do who wanted
to be thought a good flute player, without really being so. He would
be forced to imitate the good flute player in the externals of his art,
would he not? and first or all, seeing that these artists always have
a splendid equipment,