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Untitled Article
Tins propensity of Prodicus is displayed in different parts of tire dialogue in a very amusing manner , and several touches in his part might be quoted as admirable specimens of the higher comedy . Socrates opens to Protagoras the object of their visit , by telling him that Hippocrates , a young man of high rank and excellent capacity , desired to become conspicuous in his country , and thought that this
would be more easily attainable through the instructions of Protagoras . The Sophist having asked whether Hippocrates would wish to speak with him alone or before the numerous company there assembled , and Socrates having left it to his option , Protagoras commended Socrates for his discretion , saying , that a stranger , who travels about and draws round him the most promising young men of every state , making them leave their other pursuits and associates , and attach themselves to him
for the sake of their own improvement , has need of caution , since such a proceeding must necessarily excite jealousy and ill-will ; and , for this reason , all the ancient Sophists—for the profession , he contended , was ancient—had disguised their real pursuit for fear of consequences , and had professed poetry , the science of divine worship , and even music or gymnastics , as a cover . But he himself did not follow their example , thinking that they never effected their purpose : the disguise did not conceal their real object from the leading men in the various cities , for
whose eyes alone this veil was intended , since the common people merely repeat what they say , ; and an unsuccessful attempt at concealment only made the matter worse , by causing hypocrisy to be added to their other imputed offences . Protagoras , therefore , openly avowed himself a Sophist , and thought this a much safer plan than to deny it ; and by this and various precautions he had so managed , that , although he had practised the profession for many years , no harm had ever come to him in consequence of it * . He , therefore , preferred that his conversation with Socrates and Hippocrates should take place before the whole
company . * Suspecting / says Socrates ( who is the supposed narrator of the whole ) * that he wished to make himself glorious in the eyes of Prodicus and Hippias , from our seeking his society , I proposed inviting them , and those who were conversing with them , to join in our conversation / Accordingly they all assembled , and Protagoras told Socrates that he might now state his business .
Socrates accordingly repeated what he had already said , that Hippocrates wished to receive the instructions of Protagoras , and was anxious to know of what nature was the benefit which he would derive from them . Protagoras answered , that he would every day improve , and return home better than he was the previous day . * So / said Socrates , * he would , if he were to attend on the painter Zeuxippus—he would return home
improved in painting , and a better painter ; or if he were to attend Orthagoras , the flute-player , he would every day return home a better flute-player than the day before . In what respect , if he attends on you , will he every day return home improved V Protagoras commended the question , and answered , He will not be treated by me in the same manner as by other Sophists , who spoil young men by putting them back into geometry and * Another of the passages which overthrow article upon article of the * Quarterly Review . '
Untitled Article
Plato ' 8 Dialogues ; the Protagora * . 95
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1834, page 95, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2630/page/7/
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