Page 668 sur 1391

Well said, Cephalus, I replied; but as concerning justice, what

is it?-to speak the truth and to pay your debts-no more than

this? And even to this are there not exceptions? Suppose that a

friend when in his right mind has deposited arms with me and he

asks for them when he is not in his right mind, ought I to give

them back to him? No one would say that I ought or that I should

be right in doing so, any more than they would say that I ought

always to speak the truth to one who is in his condition.

You are quite right, he replied.

But then, I said, speaking the truth and paying your debts is not

a correct definition of justice.

Quite correct, Socrates, if Simonides is to be believed, said

Polemarchus interposing.

I fear, said Cephalus, that I must go now, for I have to look

after the sacrifices, and I hand over the argument to Polemarchus

and the company.

Is not Polemarchus your heir? I said.

To be sure, he answered, and went away laughing to the

sacrifices.