Page:Works of Plato his first fifty-five dialogues (Taylor 1804) (Vol 5 of 5) (IA Vol5worksofplato00plat).pdf/23

Rh and some of them say that it is done justly, but others unjustly. Is it not so ?

Certainly.

Come, then, my dear Euthyphro, teach me also that I may become more wise, what proof you have that all the gods think that he unjustly died, who having slain his fellow-servant, and being put in chains by the matter of the deceased, perished before he that bound him received the answer from the interpreters, which was to inform him how he ought to ask ; and that, on account of such a man, it is right for a son to prosecute his father and accuse him of murder. Come, endeavour to demonstrate to me something clear about these things, and that all the gods consider this action to be right more than any thing. And if you demonstrate this to me sufficiently I will never cease praising you for your wisdom.

But perhaps, Socrates, this is no trifling employment, otherwise I could clearly demonstrate it to you.

I understand you : I appear to you to be more dull of apprehension than the judges ; since you will evidently prove to them that your father's conduct was unjust, and that all the gods hate such-like actions.

I shall demonstrate this very clearly, Socrates, if they will only hear what I have to say.

But they will hear, if you shall appear to speak well. However, while you was just now speaking, I thus thought and considered with myself : If Euthyphro should especially convince me that all the gods think a death of this kind to be unjust, in what respect shall I have the more learned from. Euthyphro what the holy is, and also the unholy ? For this action, as it appears, will be odious to divinity. It has not, however, yet appeared from this, what is holy, and what not. For that which is odious has also appeared to be dear to divinity. So that I will grant you this, Euthyphro, and if you please let all the gods think it to be unjust, and let them all hate it. Shall we, therefore, now make this correction in the definition, that what all the gods hate is unholy, and what they all love is holy ; but that what some of them love, and others hate, is neither, or both ? Are you willing that at present we should thus define concerning the holy and unholy ?

What should hinder, Socrates ?

Nothing hinders me, Euthyphro; but do you, as to what relates to