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discover what that is to which the imposer of names gave this name of temperance or wisdom. And yet many more admissions were made by us than could be fairly granted; for we admitted that there was a science of science, although the argument said No, and protested against us; and we admitted forther, that this science knew the works of the other sciences (although this loo was denied by the argu­ ment), because we wanted to show that the wise man had knowledge of what he knew and did nnt know; also we nobly disregarded, and never even considered, the impossi­ bility of a man knowing in a sort of way thcit which he does not know at all; for our assumption was, that he knows that which he does not know; than which nothing, as I think, can be more irrational. And yet, after finding us so easy and good-natured, the enquiry is still unable to discover the truth; hut mocks us to a degree, and has gone out of its way to prove the inutility of that which we admitted only by a sort of supposition c1·nd fiction to he the true definition of temper­ ance or wisdom: which result, as far as I am concerned, is not so much to be lamented, I said. But for your sake, Charmides, I am very sorry&mdash;that you, having such beauty and such wisdom and temperance of soul, should have no profit or good in life from your wisdom and temperance.

And still more am I grieved about the charm which I learned with so much pain, and to so little profit, from the Thracian, for the sake of a thing which is nothing worth. I think indeed that there is a mistake, and that I must be a bad enquirer, for wisdom or temperance I believe to be really a great good; and happy are you, Charmides, if you certainly possess it. Wherefore examine yourself, and see whether you have this gift and can do without the charm; for if you can, I would rather advise you to regard me simply as a fool who is never able to reason out anything; and to rest assured that the more wise and temperate you are, the happier you will be.

Charmides said: I am sure that I do not know, Socrates, whether I have or have not this gift of wisdom and temper­ ance; for how can I know whether I have a thing, of which even you and Critias are, as you say, unable to discover the nature?&mdash;(not that I believe you.) And further, I am sure,