Protagoras' Use of Words
Table of Contents
Now then, you think that some men are temperate, and yet unjust? And temperance is good sense? And good sense is good counsel in doing injustice if the injustice succeeds?
Yes, yes, and yes.
Do you believe the gods exist? And is the good that which is expedient for man?
Yes. There are some things which may be inexpedient, and yet I call them good.
I thought that Protagoras was getting ruffled and excited; he seemed to be setting himself in an attitude of war. Seeing this, I minded my business, and gently said:—
When you say that things inexpedient are good, do you mean inexpedient for man only, or inexpedient altogether? and do you call the latter good?
Certainly not the last. Many things such as meats, drinks, medicines, etc are inexpedient for man. Some things are expedient.
Some are neither expedient nor inexpedient for man, but only for horses.
Some for oxen only. Some for dogs. Some only for trees. Some for the roots of trees and not for their branches.
For example, manure is good around the roots of a tree. But it is destructive if thrown on the shoots and young branches.
Olive oil is mischievous to all plants and injurious to the hair of animals except man. But it is beneficial to human hair and to the human body generally.
The people cheered Protagoras.
Please shorten your answers.