Soc。Marknowthefartherdevelopment。Ishallonlyaskhim，andnotteachhim，andheshallsharetheenquirywithme：anddoyouwatchandseeifyoufindmetellingorexplaininganythingtohim，insteadofelicitinghisopinion。Tellme，boy，isnotthisasquareoffourfeetwhichIhavedrawn？
Boy。Yes。
Soc。AndnowIaddanothersquareequaltotheformerone？
Boy。Yes。
Soc。Andathird，whichisequaltoeitherofthem？
Boy。Yes。
Soc。Supposethatwefillupthevacantcorner？
Boy。Verygood。
Soc。Here，then，therearefourequalspaces？
Boy。Yes。
Soc。Andhowmanytimeslargeristhisspacethanthisother？
Boy。Fourtimes。
Soc。Butitoughttohavebeentwiceonly，asyouwillremember。
Boy。True。
Soc。Anddoesnotthisline，reachingfromcornertocorner，bisecteachofthesespaces？
Boy。Yes。
Soc。Andaretherenotherefourequallineswhichcontainthisspace？
Boy。Thereare。
Soc。Lookandseehowmuchthisspaceis。
Boy。Idonotunderstand。
Soc。Hasnoteachinteriorlinecutoffhalfofthefourspaces？
Boy。Yes。
Soc。Andhowmanyspacesarethereinthissection？
Boy。Four。
Soc。Andhowmanyinthis？
Boy。Two。
Soc。Andfourishowmanytimestwo？
Boy。Twice。
Soc。Andthisspaceisofhowmanyfeet？
Boy。Ofeightfeet。
Soc。Andfromwhatlinedoyougetthisfigure？
Boy。Fromthis。
Soc。Thatis，fromthelinewhichextendsfromcornertocornerofthefigureoffourfeet？
Boy。Yes。
Soc。Andthatisthelinewhichthelearnedcallthediagonal。Andifthisisthepropername，thenyou，Meno’sslave，arepreparedtoaffirmthatthedoublespaceisthesquareofthediagonal？
Boy。Certainly，Socrates。
Soc。Whatdoyousayofhim，Meno？Werenotalltheseanswersgivenoutofhisownhead？
Men。Yes，theywereallhisown。
Soc。Andyet，aswewerejustnowsaying，hedidnotknow？
Men。True。
Soc。Butstillhehadinhimthosenotionsofhis—hadhenot？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Thenhewhodoesnotknowmaystillhavetruenotionsofthatwhichhedoesnotknow？
Men。Hehas。
Soc。Andatpresentthesenotionshavejustbeenstirredupinhim，asinadream；butifhewerefrequentlyaskedthesamequestions，indifferentforms，hewouldknowaswellasanyoneatlast？
Men。Idaresay。
Soc。Withoutanyoneteachinghimhewillrecoverhisknowledgeforhimself，ifheisonlyaskedquestions？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andthisspontaneousrecoveryofknowledgeinhimisrecollection？
Men。True。
Soc。Andthisknowledgewhichhenowhasmusthenoteitherhaveacquiredoralwayspossessed？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Butifhealwayspossessedthisknowledgehewouldalwayshaveknown；orifhehasacquiredtheknowledgehecouldnothaveacquireditinthislife，unlesshehasbeentaughtgeometry；forhemaybemadetodothesamewithallgeometryandeveryotherbranchofknowledge。Now，hasanyoneevertaughthimallthis？Youmustknowabouthim，if，asyousay，hewasbornandbredinyourhouse。
Men。AndIamcertainthatnooneeverdidteachhim。
Soc。Andyethehastheknowledge？
Men。Thefact，Socrates，isundeniable。
Soc。Butifhedidnotacquiretheknowledgeinthislife，thenhemusthavehadandlearneditatsomeothertime？
Men。Clearlyhemust。
Soc。Whichmusthavebeenthetimewhenhewasnotaman？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andiftherehavebeenalwaystruethoughtsinhim，bothatthetimewhenhewasandwasnotaman，whichonlyneedtobeawakenedintoknowledgebyputtingquestionstohim，hissoulmusthavealwayspossessedthisknowledge，forhealwayseitherwasorwasnotaman？
Men。Obviously。
Soc。Andifthetruthofallthingsalwaysexistedinthesoul，thenthesoulisimmortal。Whereforebeofgoodcheer，andtrytorecollectwhatyoudonotknow，orratherwhatyoudonotremember。
Men。Ifeel，somehow，thatIlikewhatyouaresaying。
Soc。AndI，Meno，likewhatIamsaying。SomethingsIhavesaidofwhichIamnotaltogetherconfident。Butthatweshallbebetterandbraverandlesshelplessifwethinkthatweoughttoenquire，thanweshouldhavebeenifweindulgedintheidlefancythattherewasnoknowingandnouseinseekingtoknowwhatwedonotknow；—thatisathemeuponwhichIamreadytofight，inwordanddeed，totheutmostofmypower。
Men。Thereagain，Socrates，yourwordsseemtomeexcellent。
Soc。Then，asweareagreedthatamanshouldenquireaboutthatwhichhedoesnotknow，shallyouandImakeanefforttoenquiretogetherintothenatureofvirtue？
Men。Byallmeans，Socrates。AndyetIwouldmuchratherreturntomyoriginalquestion，Whetherinseekingtoacquirevirtueweshouldregarditasathingtobetaught，orasagiftofnature，orascomingtomeninsomeotherway？
Soc。HadIthecommandofyouaswellasofmyself，Meno，Iwouldnothaveenquiredwhethervirtueisgivenbyinstructionornot，untilwehadfirstascertained\"whatitis。\"Butasyouthinkonlyofcontrollingmewhoamyourslave，andneverofcontrollingyourself，—suchbeingyournotionoffreedom，Imustyieldtoyou，foryouareirresistible。AndthereforeIhavenowtoenquireintothequalitiesofathingofwhichIdonotasyetknowthenature。Atanyrate，willyoucondescendalittle，andallowthequestion\"Whethervirtueisgivenbyinstruction，orinanyotherway，\"tobeargueduponhypothesis？Asthegeometrician，whenheisaskedwhetheracertaintriangleiscapablebeinginscribedinacertaincircle，willreply：\"Icannottellyouasyet；butIwillofferahypothesiswhichmayassistusinformingaconclusion：Ifthefigurebesuchthatwhenyouhaveproducedagivensideofit，thegivenareaofthetrianglefallsshortbyanareacorrespondingtothepartproduced，thenoneconsequencefollows，andifthisisimpossiblethensomeother；andthereforeIwishtoassumeahypothesisbeforeItellyouwhetherthistriangleiscapableofbeinginscribedinthecircle\"：—thatisageometricalhypothesis。Andwetoo，asweknownotthenatureand—qualitiesofvirtue，mustask，whethervirtueisornottaught，underahypothesis：asthus，ifvirtueisofsuchaclassofmentalgoods，willitbetaughtornot？Letthefirsthypothesisbe—thatvirtueisorisnotknowledge，—inthatcasewillitbetaughtornot？or，aswewerejustnowsaying，remembered\"？Forthereisnouseindisputingaboutthename。Butisvirtuetaughtornot？orrather，doesnoteveryoneseethatknowledgealoneistaught？
Men。Iagree。
Soc。Thenifvirtueisknowledge，virtuewillbetaught？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Thennowwehavemadeaquickendofthisquestion：ifvirtueisofsuchanature，itwillbetaught；andifnot，not？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Thenextquestionis，whethervirtueisknowledgeorofanotherspecies？
Men。Yes，thatappearstobethe—questionwhichcomesnextinorder。
Soc。Dowenotsaythatvirtueisagood？—Thisisahypothesiswhichisnotsetaside。
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Now，iftherebeanysort—ofgoodwhichisdistinctfromknowledge，virtuemaybethatgood；butifknowledgeembracesallgood，thenweshallberightinthinkinthatvirtueisknowledge？
Men。True。
Soc。Andvirtuemakesusgood？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andifwearegood，thenweareprofitable；forallgoodthingsareprofitable？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Thenvirtueisprofitable？
Men。Thatistheonlyinference。
Soc。Thennowletusseewhatarethethingswhichseverallyprofitus。Healthandstrength，andbeautyandwealth—these，andthelikeofthese，wecallprofitable？
Men。True。
Soc。Andyetthesethingsmayalsosometimesdousharm：wouldyounotthinkso？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andwhatistheguidingprinciplewhichmakesthemprofitableorthereverse？Aretheynotprofitablewhentheyarerightlyused，andhurtfulwhentheyarenotrightlyused？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Next，letusconsiderthegoodsofthesoul：theyaretemperance，justice，courage，quicknessofapprehension，memory，magnanimity，andthelike？
Men。Surely。
Soc。Andsuchoftheseasarenotknowledge，butofanothersort，aresometimesprofitableandsometimeshurtful；as，forexample，couragewantingprudence，whichisonlyasortofconfidence？Whenamanhasnosenseheisharmedbycourage，butwhenhehassenseheisprofited？
Men。True。
Soc。Andthesamemaybesaidoftemperanceandquicknessofapprehension；whateverthingsarelearnedordonewithsenseareprofitable，butwhendonewithoutsensetheyarehurtful？
Men。Verytrue。
Soc。Andingeneral，allthattheattemptsorendures，whenundertheguidanceofwisdom，endsinhappiness；butwhensheisundertheguidanceoffolly，intheopposite？
Men。Thatappearstobetrue。
Soc。Ifthenvirtueisaqualityofthesoul，andisadmittedtobeprofitable，itmustbewisdomorprudence，sincenoneofthethingsofthesoulareeitherprofitableorhurtfulinthemselves，buttheyareallmadeprofitableorhurtfulbytheadditionofwisdomoroffolly；andthereforeandthereforeifvirtueisprofitable，virtuemustbeasortofwisdomorprudence？
Men。Iquiteagree。
Soc。Andtheothergoods，suchaswealthandthelike，ofwhichwewerejustnowsayingthattheyaresometimesgoodandsometimesevil，donottheyalsobecomeprofitableorhurtful，accordinglyasthesoulguidesandusesthemrightlyorwrongly；justasthethingsofthesoulherselfarebenefitedwhenundertheguidanceofwisdomandharmedbyfolly？
Men。True。
Soc。Andthewisesoulguidesthemrightly，andthefoolishsoulwrongly。
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andisnotthisuniversallytrueofhumannature？Allotherthingshanguponthesoul，andthethingsofthesoulherselfhanguponwisdom，iftheyaretobegood；andsowisdomisinferredtobethatwhichprofits—andvirtue，aswesay，isprofitable？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Andthuswearriveattheconclusionthatvirtueiseitherwhollyorpartlywisdom？
Men。Ithinkthatwhatyouaresaying，Socrates，isverytrue。
Soc。Butifthisistrue，thenthegoodarenotbynaturegood？
Men。Ithinknot。
Soc。Iftheyhadbeen，therewouldassuredlyhavebeendiscernersofcharactersamonguswhowouldhaveknownourfuturegreatmen；andontheirshowingweshouldhaveadoptedthem，andwhenwehadgotthem，weshouldhavekepttheminthecitadeloutofthewayofharm，andsetastampuponthemfarratherthanuponapieceofgold，inorderthatnoonemighttamperwiththem；andwhentheygrewuptheywouldhavebeenusefultothestate？
Men。Yes，Socrates，thatwouldhavebeentherightway。
Soc。Butifthegoodarenotbynaturegood，aretheymadegoodbyinstruction？
Men。Thereappearstobenootheralternative，Socrates。Onthesuppositionthatvirtueisknowledge，therecanbenodoubtthatvirtueistaught。
Soc。Yes，indeed；butwhatifthesuppositioniserroneous？
Men。Icertainlythoughtjustnowthatwewereright。
Soc。Yes，Meno；butaprinciplewhichhasanysoundnessshouldstandfirmnotonlyjustnow，butalways。
Men。Well；andwhyareyousoslowofhearttobelievethatknowledgeisvirtue？
Soc。Iwilltryandtellyouwhy，Meno。Idonotretracttheassertionthatifvirtueisknowledgeitmaybetaught；butIfearthatIhavesomereasonindoubtingwhethervirtueisknowledge：forconsidernow。andsaywhethervirtue，andnotonlyvirtuebutanythingthatistaught，mustnothaveteachersanddisciples？
Men。Surely。
Soc。Andconversely，maynottheartofwhichneitherteachersnordisciplesexistbeassumedtobeincapableofbeingtaught？
Men。True；butdoyouthinkthattherearenoteachersofvirtue？
Soc。Ihavecertainlyoftenenquiredwhethertherewereany，andtakengreatpainstofindthem，andhaveneversucceeded；andmanyhaveassistedmeinthesearch，andtheywerethepersonswhomI
thoughtthemostlikelytoknow。HereatthemomentwhenheiswantedwefortunatelyhavesittingbyusAnytus，theverypersonofwhomweshouldmakeenquiry；tohimthenletusrepair。InthefirstPlace，heisthesonofawealthyandwisefather，Anthemion，whoacquiredhiswealth，notbyaccidentorgift，likeIsmeniastheTheban（whohasrecentlymadehimselfasrichasPolycrates），butbyhisownskillandindustry，andwhoisawell—conditioned，modestman，notinsolent，orover—bearing，orannoying；moreover，thissonofhishasreceivedagoodeducation，astheAthenianpeoplecertainlyappeartothink，fortheychoosehimtofillthehighestoffices。Andthesearethesortofmenfromwhomyouarelikelytolearnwhetherthereareanyteachersofvirtue，andwhotheyare。Please，Anytus，tohelpmeandyourfriendMenoinansweringourquestion，Whoaretheteachers？Considerthematterthus：IfwewantedMenotobeagoodphysician，towhomshouldwesendhim？Shouldwenotsendhimtothephysicians？
Any。Certainly。
Soc。Orifwewantedhimtobeagoodcobbler，shouldwenotsendhimtothecobblers？
Any。Yes。
Soc。Andsoforth？
Any。Yes。
Soc。Letmetroubleyouwithonemorequestion。Whenwesaythatweshouldberightinsendinghimtothephysiciansifwewantedhimtobeaphysician，dowemeanthatweshouldberightinsendinghimtothosewhoprofesstheart，ratherthantothosewhodonot，andtothosewhodemandpaymentforteachingtheart，andprofesstoteachittoanyonewhowillcomeandlearn？Andifthesewereourreasons，shouldwenotberightinsendinghim？
Any。Yes。
Soc。Andmightnotthesamebesaidofflute—playing，andoftheotherarts？Wouldamanwhowantedtomakeanotheraflute—playerrefusetosendhimtothosewhoprofesstoteachtheartformoney，andbeplaguingotherpersonstogivehiminstruction，whoarenotprofessedteachersandwhoneverhadasinglediscipleinthatbranchofknowledgewhichhewisheshimtoacquire—wouldnotsuchconductbetheheightoffolly？
Any。Yes，byZeus，andofignorancetoo。
Soc。Verygood。AndnowyouareinapositiontoadvisewithmeaboutmyfriendMeno。Hehasbeentellingme，Anytus，thathedesirestoattainthatkindofwisdomand—virtuebywhichmenorderthestateorthehouse，andhonourtheirparents，andknowwhentoreceiveandwhentosendawaycitizensandstrangers，asagoodmanshould。Now，towhomshouldhegoinorderthathemaylearnthisvirtue？DoesnotthepreviousargumentimplyclearlythatweshouldsendhimtothosewhoprofessandavouchthattheyarethecommonteachersofallHellas，andarereadytoimpartinstructiontoanyonewholikes，atafixedprice？
Any。Whomdoyoumean，Socrates？
Soc。Yousurelyknow，doyounot，Anytus，thatthesearethepeoplewhommankindcallSophists？
Any。ByHeracles，Socrates，forbear！Ionlyhopethatnofriendorkinsmanoracquaintanceofmine，whethercitizenorstranger，willeverbesomadastoallowhimselftobecorruptedbythem；fortheyareamanifestpestandcorruptinginfluencestothosewhohavetodowiththem。
Soc。What，Anytus？Ofallthepeoplewhoprofessthattheyknowhowtodomengood，doyoumeantosaythatthesearetheonlyoneswhonotonlydothemnogood，butpositivelycorruptthosewhoareentrustedtothem，andinreturnforthisdisservicehavethefacetodemandmoney？Indeed，Icannotbelieveyou；forIknowofasingleman，Protagoras，whomademoreoutofhiscraftthantheillustriousPheidias，whocreatedsuchnobleworks，oranytenotherstatuaries。HowcouldthatAmenderofoldshoes，orpatcherupofclothes，whomadetheshoesorclothesworsethanhereceivedthem，couldnothaveremainedthirtydaysundetected，andwouldverysoonhavestarved；whereasduringmorethanfortyyears，ProtagoraswascorruptingallHellas，andsendinghisdisciplesfromhimworsethanhereceivedthem，andhewasneverfoundout。For，ifIamnotmistaken，—hewasaboutseventyyearsoldathisdeath，fortyofwhichwerespentinthepracticeofhisprofession；andduringallthattimehehadagoodreputation，whichtothisdayheretains：
andnotonlyProtagoras，butmanyothersarewellspokenof；somewholivedbeforehim，andotherswhoarestillliving。Now，whenyousaythattheydeceivedandcorruptedtheyouth，aretheytobesupposedtohavecorruptedthemconsciouslyorunconsciously？CanthosewhoweredeemedbymanytobethewisestmenofHellashavebeenoutoftheirminds？
Any。Outoftheirminds！No，Socrates；theyoungmenwhogavetheirmoneytothem，wereoutoftheirminds，andtheirrelationsandguardianswhoentrustedtheiryouthtothecareofthesemenwerestillmoreoutoftheirminds，andmostofall，thecitieswhoallowedthemtocomein，anddidnotdrivethemout，citizenandstrangeralike。
Soc。HasanyoftheSophistswrongedyou，Anytus？Whatmakesyousoangrywiththem？
Any。No，indeed，neitherInoranyofmybelongingshaseverhad，norwouldIsufferthemtohave，anythingtodowiththem。
Soc。Thenyouareentirelyunacquaintedwiththem？
Any。AndIhavenowishtobeacquainted。
Soc。Then，mydearfriend，howcanyouknowwhetherathingisgoodorbadofwhichyouarewhollyignorant？
Any。Quitewell；IamsurethatIknowwhatmannerofmentheseare，whetherIamacquaintedwiththemornot。
Soc。Youmustbeadiviner，Anytus，forIreallycannotmakeout，judgingfromyourownwords，how，ifyouarenotacquaintedwiththem，youknowaboutthem。ButIamnotenquiringofyouwhoaretheteacherswhowillcorruptMeno（letthembe，ifyouplease，theSophists）；IonlyaskyoutotellhimwhothereisinthisgreatcitywhowillteachhimhowtobecomeeminentinthevirtueswhichI
wasjust，nowdescribing。Heisthefriendofyourfamily，andyouwillobligehim。
Any。Whydoyounottellhimyourself？
Soc。IhavetoldhimwhomIsupposedtobetheteachersofthesethings；butIlearnfromyouthatIamutterlyatfault，andIdaresaythatyouareright。AndnowIwishthatyou，onyourpart，wouldtellmetowhomamongtheAtheniansheshouldgo。Whomwouldyouname？
Any。Whysingleoutindividuals？AnyAtheniangentleman，takenatrandom，ifhewillmindhim，willdofarmore，goodtohimthantheSophists。
Soc。Anddidthosegentlemengrowofthemselves；andwithouthavingbeentaughtbyanyone，weretheyneverthelessabletoteachothersthatwhichtheyhadneverlearnedthemselves？
Any。Iimaginethattheylearnedofthepreviousgenerationofgentlemen。Havetherenotbeenmanygoodmeninthiscity？
Soc。Yes，certainly，Anytus；andmanygoodstatesmenalsotherealwayshavebeenandtherearestill，inthecityofAthens。Butthequestioniswhethertheywerealsogoodteachersoftheirownvirtue；—notwhetherthereare，orhavebeen，goodmeninthispartoftheworld，butwhethervirtuecanbetaught，isthequestionwhichwehavebeendiscussing。Now，dowemeantosaythatthegoodmenourownandofothertimesknewhowtoimparttoothersthatvirtuewhichtheyhadthemselves；orisvirtueathingincapableofbeingcommunicatedorimpartedbyonemantoanother？ThatisthequestionwhichIandMenohavebeenarguing。Lookatthematterinyourownway：WouldyounotadmitthatThemistocleswasagoodman？
Any。Certainly；nomanbetter。
Soc。Andmustnothethenhavebeenagoodteacher，ifanymaneverwasagoodteacher，ofhisownvirtue？
Any。Yescertainly，—ifhewantedtobeso。
Soc。Butwouldhenothavewanted？Hewould，atanyrate，havedesiredtomakehisownsonagoodmanandagentleman；hecouldnothavebeenjealousofhim，orhaveintentionallyabstainedfromimpartingtohimhisownvirtue。DidyouneverhearthathemadehissonCleophantusafamoushorseman；andhadhimtaughttostanduprightonhorsebackandhurlajavelin，andtodomanyothermarvellousthings；andinanythingwhichcouldbelearnedfromamasterhewaswelltrained？Haveyounotheardfromoureldersofhim？
Any。Ihave。
Soc。Thennoonecouldsaythathissonshowedanywantofcapacity？
Any。Verylikelynot。
Soc。Butdidanyone，oldoryoung，eversayinyourhearingthatCleophantus，sonofThemistocles，wasawiseorgoodman，ashisfatherwas？
Any。Ihavecertainlyneverheardanyonesayso。
Soc。Andifvirtuecouldhavebeentaught，wouldhisfatherThemistocleshavesoughttotrainhimintheseminoraccomplishments，andallowedhimwho，asyoumustremember，washisownson，tobenobetterthanhisneighboursinthosequalitiesinwhichhehimselfexcelled？
Any。Indeed，indeed，Ithinknot。
Soc。Herewasateacherofvirtuewhomyouadmittobeamongthebestmenofthepast。Letustakeanother，—Aristides，thesonofLysimachus：wouldyounotacknowledgethathewasagoodman？
Any。TobesureIshould。
Soc。AnddidnothetrainhissonLysimachusbetterthananyotherAthenianinallthatcouldbedoneforhimbythehelpofmasters？Butwhathasbeentheresult？Isheabitbetterthananyothermortal？Heisanacquaintanceofyours，andyouseewhatheislike。ThereisPericles，again，magnificentinhiswisdom；andhe，asyouareaware，hadtwosons，ParalusandXanthippus。
Any。Iknow。
Soc。Andyouknow，also，thathetaughtthemtobeunrivalledhorsemen，andhadthemtrainedinmusicandgymnasticsandallsortsofarts—intheserespectstheywereonalevelwiththebest—andhadhenowishtomakegoodmenofthem？Nay，hemusthavewishedit。
Butvirtue，asIsuspect，couldnotbetaught。AndthatyoumaynotsupposetheincompetentteacherstobeonlythemeanersortofAtheniansandfewinnumber，rememberagainthatThucydideshadtwosons，MelesiasandStephanus，whom，besidesgivingthemagoodeducationinotherthings，hetrainedinwrestling，andtheywerethebestwrestlersinAthens：oneofthemhecommittedtothecareofXanthias，andtheotherofEudorus，whohadthereputationofbeingthemostcelebratedwrestlersofthatday。Doyourememberthem？
Any。Ihaveheardofthem。
Soc。Now，cantherebeadoubtthatThucydides，whosechildrenweretaughtthingsforwhichhehadtospendmoney，wouldhavetaughtthemtobegoodmen，whichwouldhavecosthimnothing，ifvirtuecouldhavebeentaught？Willyoureplythathewasameanman，andhadnotmanyfriendsamongtheAtheniansandallies？Nay，buthewasofagreatfamily，andamanofinfluenceatAthensandinallHellas，and，ifvirtuecouldhavebeentaught，hewouldhavefoundoutsomeAthenianorforeignerwhowouldhavemadegoodmenofhissons，ifhecouldnothimselfsparethetimefromcaresofstate。Oncemore，Isuspect，friendAnytus，thatvirtueisnotathingwhichcanbetaught？
Any。Socrates，Ithinkthatyouaretooreadytospeakevilofmen：and，ifyouwilltakemyadvice，Iwouldrecommendyoutobecareful。Perhapsthereisnocityinwhichitisnoteasiertodomenharmthantodothemgood，andthisiscertainlythecaseatAthens，asIbelievethatyouknow。
Soc。OMeno，thinkthatAnytusisinarage。Andhemaywellbeinarage，forhethinks，inthefirstplace，thatIamdefamingthesegentlemen；andinthesecondplace，heisofopinionthatheisoneofthemhimself。Butsomedayhewillknowwhatisthemeaningofdefamation，andifheeverdoes，hewillforgiveme。MeanwhileI
willreturntoyou，Meno；forIsupposethattherearegentlemeninyourregiontoo？
Men。Certainlythereare。
Soc。Andaretheywillingtoteachtheyoung？anddotheyprofesstobeteachers？anddotheyagreethatvirtueistaught？
Men。Noindeed，Socrates，theyareanythingbutagreed；youmayhearthemsayingatonetimethatvirtuecanbetaught，andthenagainthereverse。
Soc。Canwecallthoseteacherswhodonotacknowledgethepossibilityoftheirownvocation？
Men。Ithinknot，Socrates。
Soc。AndwhatdoyouthinkoftheseSophists，whoaretheonlyprofessors？Dotheyseemtoyoutobeteachersofvirtue？
Men。Ioftenwonder，Socrates，thatGorgiasisneverheardpromisingtoteachvirtue：andwhenhehearsotherspromisingheonlylaughsatthem；buthethinksthatmenshouldbetaughttospeak。
Soc。ThendoyounotthinkthattheSophistsareteachers？
Men。Icannottellyou，Socrates；liketherestoftheworld，Iamindoubt，andsometimesIthinkthattheyareteachersandsometimesnot。
Soc。Andareyouawarethatnotyouonlyandotherpoliticianshavedoubtswhethervirtuecanbetaughtornot，butthatTheognisthepoetsaystheverysamething？
Men。Wheredoeshesayso？
Soc。Intheseelegiacverses：
Eatanddrinkandsitwiththemighty，andmakeyourselfagreeabletothem；forfromthegoodyouwilllearnwhatisgood，butifyoumixwiththebadyouwilllosetheintelligencewhichyoualreadyhave。
Doyouobservethathereheseemstoimplythatvirtuecanbetaught？
Men。Clearly。
Soc。Butinsomeotherversesheshiftsaboutandsays：
Ifunderstandingcouldbecreatedandputintoaman，thenthey[whowereabletoperformthisfeat]wouldhaveobtainedgreatrewards。
Andagain：—
Neverwouldabadsonhavesprungfromagoodsire，forhewouldhaveheardthevoiceofinstruction；butnotbyteachingwillyouevermakeabadmanintoagoodone。
Andthis，asyoumayremark，isacontradictionoftheother。
Men。Clearly。
Soc。Andisthereanythingelseofwhichtheprofessorsareaffirmednotonlynottobeteachersofothers，buttobeignorantthemselves，andbadattheknowledgeofthatwhichtheyareprofessingtoteach？oristhereanythingaboutwhicheventheacknowledged\"gentlemen\"aresometimessayingthat\"thisthingcanbetaught，\"
andsometimestheopposite？Canyousaythattheyareteachersinanytruesensewhoseideasareinsuchconfusion？
Men。Ishouldsay，certainlynot。
Soc。ButifneithertheSophistsnorthegentlemenareteachers，clearlytherecanbenootherteachers？
Men。No。
Soc。Andiftherearenoteachers，neitheraretheredisciples？
Men。Agreed。
Soc。Andwehaveadmittedthatathingcannotbetaughtofwhichthereareneitherteachersnordisciples？
Men。Wehave。
Soc。Andtherearenoteachersofvirtuetobefoundanywhere？
Men。Therearenot。
Soc。Andiftherearenoteachers，neitheraretherescholars？
Men。That，Ithink，istrue。
Soc。Thenvirtuecannotbetaught？
Men。Notifwearerightinourview。ButIcannotbelieve，Socrates，thattherearenogoodmen：Andifthereare，howdidtheycomeintoexistence？
Soc。Iamafraid，Meno，thatyouandIarenotgoodformuch，andthatGorgiashasbeenaspooraneducatorofyouasProdicushasbeenofme。Certainlyweshallhavetolooktoourselves，andtrytofindsomeonewhowillhelpinsomewayorothertoimproveus。ThisI
say，becauseIobservethatinthepreviousdiscussionnoneofusremarkedthatrightandgoodactionispossibletomanunderotherguidancethanthatofknowledge（episteme）；—andindeedifthisbedenied，thereisnoseeinghowtherecanbeanygoodmenatall。
Men。Howdoyoumean，Socrates？
Soc。Imeanthatgoodmenarenecessarilyusefulorprofitable。Werewenotrightinadmittingthis？Itmustbeso。
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andinsupposingthattheywillbeusefulonlyiftheyaretrueguidestousofaction—therewewerealsoright？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Butwhenwesaidthatamancannotbeagoodguideunlesshehaveknowledge（phrhonesis），thiswewerewrong。
Men。Whatdoyoumeanbytheword\"right\"？
Soc。Iwillexplain。IfamanknewthewaytoLarisa，oranywhereelse，andwenttotheplaceandledothersthither，wouldhenotbearightandgoodguide？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Andapersonwhohadarightopinionabouttheway，buthadneverbeenanddidnotknow，mightbeagoodguidealso，mighthenot？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Andwhilehehastrueopinionaboutthatwhichtheotherknows，hewillbejustasgoodaguideifhethinksthetruth，ashewhoknowsthetruth？
Men。Exactly。
Soc。Thentrueopinionisasgoodaguidetocorrectactionasknowledge；andthatwasthepointwhichweomittedinourspeculationaboutthenatureofvirtue，whenwesaidthatknowledgeonlyistheguideofrightaction；whereasthereisalsorightopinion。
Men。True。
Soc。Thenrightopinionisnotlessusefulthanknowledge？
Men。Thedifference，Socrates，isonlythathewhohasknowledgewillalwaysberight；buthewhohasrightopinionwillsometimesberight，andsometimesnot。
Soc。Whatdoyoumean？Canhebewrongwhohasrightopinion，solongashehasrightopinion？
Men。Iadmitthecogencyofyourargument，andtherefore，Socrates，Iwonderthatknowledgeshouldbepreferredtorightopinion—orwhytheyshouldeverdiffer。
Soc。AndshallIexplainthiswondertoyou？
Men。Dotellme。
Soc。YouwouldnotwonderifyouhadeverobservedtheimagesofDaedalus；butperhapsyouhavenotgottheminyourcountry？
Men。Whathavetheytodowiththequestion？
Soc。Becausetheyrequiretobefastenedinordertokeepthem，andiftheyarenotfastenedtheywillplaytruantandrunaway。
Men。Well。whatofthat？
Soc。Imeantosaythattheyarenotveryvaluablepossessionsiftheyareatliberty，fortheywillwalkofflikerunawayslaves；butwhenfastened，theyareofgreatvalue，fortheyarereallybeautifulworksofart。Nowthisisanillustrationofthenatureoftrueopinions：whiletheyabidewithustheyarebeautifulandfruitful，buttheyrunawayoutofthehumansoul，anddonotremainlong，andthereforetheyarenotofmuchvalueuntiltheyarefastenedbythetieofthecause；andthisfasteningofthem，friendMeno，isrecollection，asyouandIhaveagreedtocallit。Butwhentheyarebound，inthefirstplace，theyhavethenatureofknowledge；and，inthesecondplace，theyareabiding。Andthisiswhyknowledgeismorehonourableandexcellentthantrueopinion，becausefastenedbyachain。
Men。Whatyouaresaying，Socrates，seemstobeverylikethetruth。
Soc。Itoospeakratherinignorance；Ionlyconjecture。Andyetthatknowledgediffersfromtrueopinionisnomatterofconjecturewithme。TherearenotmanythingswhichIprofesstoknow，butthisismostcertainlyoneofthem。
Men。Yes，Socrates；andyouarequiterightinsayingso。
Soc。AndamInotalsorightinsayingthattrueopinionleadingthewayperfectsactionquiteaswellasknowledge？
Men。Thereagain，Socrates，Ithinkyouareright。
Soc。Thenrightopinionisnotawhitinferiortoknowledge，orlessusefulinaction；noristhemanwhohasrightopinioninferiortohimwhohasknowledge？
Men。True。
Soc。Andsurelythegoodmanhasbeenacknowledgedbyustobeuseful？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Seeingthenthatmenbecomegoodandusefultostates，notonlybecausetheyhaveknowledge，butbecausetheyhaverightopinion，andthatneitherknowledgenorrightopinionisgiventomanbynatureoracquiredbyhim—（doyouimagineeitherofthemtobegivenbynature？
Men。NotI。）
Soc。Theniftheyarenotgivenbynature，neitherarethegoodbynaturegood？
Men。Certainlynot。
Soc。Andnaturebeingexcluded，thencamethequestionwhethervirtueisacquiredbyteaching？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Ifvirtuewaswisdom[orknowledge]，then，aswethought，itwastaught？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andifitwastaughtitwaswisdom？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Andiftherewereteachers，itmightbetaught；andiftherewerenoteachers，not？
Men。True。
Soc。Butsurelyweacknowledgedthattherewerenoteachersofvirtue？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Thenweacknowledgedthatitwasnottaught，andwasnotwisdom？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Andyetweadmittedthatitwasagood？
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andtherightguideisusefulandgood？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Andtheonlyrightguidesareknowledgeandtrueopinion—thesearetheguidesofman；forthingswhichhappenbychancearenotundertheguidanceofman：buttheguidesofmanaretrueopinionandknowledge。
Men。Ithinksotoo。
Soc。Butifvirtueisnottaught，neitherisvirtueknowledge。
Men。Clearlynot。
Soc。Thenoftwogoodandusefulthings，one，whichisknowledge，hasbeensetaside，andcannotbesupposedtobeourguideinpoliticallife。
Men。Ithinknot。
Soc。Andthereforenotbyanywisdom，andnotbecausetheywerewise，didThemistoclesandthoseothersofwhomAnytusspokegovernstates。Thiswasthereasonwhytheywereunabletomakeotherslikethemselves—becausetheirvirtuewasnotgroundedonknowledge。
Men。Thatisprobablytrue，Socrates。
Soc。Butifnotbyknowledge，theonlyalternativewhichremainsisthatstatesmenmusthaveguidedstatesbyrightopinion，whichisinpoliticswhatdivinationisinreligion；fordivinersandalsoprophetssaymanythingstruly，buttheyknownotwhattheysay。
Men。SoIbelieve。
Soc。Andmaywenot，Meno，trulycallthosemen\"divine\"who，havingnounderstanding，yetsucceedinmanyagranddeedandword？
Men。Certainly。
Soc。Thenweshallalsoberightincallingdivinethosewhomwewerejustnowspeakingofasdivinersandprophets，includingthewholetribeofpoets。Yes，andstatesmenaboveallmaybesaidtobedivineandillumined，beinginspiredandpossessedofGod，inwhichconditiontheysaymanygrandthings，notknowingwhattheysay。
Men。Yes。
Soc。Andthewomentoo，Meno，callgoodmendivine—dotheynot？
andtheSpartans，whentheypraiseagoodman，say\"thatheisadivineman。\"
Men。AndIthink，Socrates，thattheyareright；althoughverylikelyourfriendAnytusmaytakeoffenceattheword。
Soc。Idanotcare；asforAnytus，therewillbeanotheropportunityoftalkingwithhim。Tosumupourenquiry—theresultseemstobe，ifweareatallrightinourview，thatvirtueisneithernaturalnoracquired，butaninstinctgivenbyGodtothevirtuous。Noristheinstinctaccompaniedbyreason，unlesstheremaybesupposedtobeamongstatesmensomeonewhoiscapableofeducatingstatesmen。Andiftherebesuchanone，hemaybesaidtobeamongthelivingwhatHomersaysthatTiresiaswasamongthedead，\"healonehasunderstanding；
buttherestareflittingshades\"；andheandhisvirtueinlikemannerwillbearealityamongshadows。
Men。Thatisexcellent，Socrates。
Soc。Then，Meno，theconclusionisthatvirtuecomestothevirtuousbythegiftofGod。Butweshallneverknowthecertaintruthuntil，beforeaskinghowvirtueisgiven，weenquireintotheactualnatureofvirtue。IfearthatImustgoaway，butdoyou，nowthatyouarepersuadedyourself，persuadeourfriendAnytus。Anddonotlethimbesoexasperated；ifyoucanconciliatehim，youwillhavedonegoodservicetotheAthenianpeople。