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。