Lysis

“Well, I must do it,” I said, “since you too tell me to. But mind you come to my aid if Menexenus tries to refute me. Or don’t you know that he is contentious?”

“Yes, by Zeus,” he said, “very much so; that is exactly why I want 211c you to talk with him.”

“So that I become ridiculous?” I said.

“No, by Zeus,” he said, “so that you can punish him.”

“Not likely,” I said. “It isn’t easy, for the man is formidable, a pupil of Ctesippus. And he is here himself, you know — don’t you see? — Ctesippus.”

“Don’t you worry about anything, Socrates,” he said; “just go and talk with him.”

“Talk I must,” I said.

While we were saying this to each other, “Why are you two,” said Ctesippus, “feasting all by yourselves and not 211d giving us a share of the talk?”

“Why, a share you must have,” I said. “For this boy doesn’t follow something I’m saying, but says he thinks Menexenus knows it, and tells me to ask him.”

“Then why don’t you ask?” he said.

“I will ask,” I said. “Tell me, Menexenus, what I ask you. For ever since I was a boy I have in fact desired a certain possession, as one man desires one thing and another another. For one man 211e desires to acquire horses, another dogs, another gold, another honors; but I am mild about these things, while toward the acquiring of friends I am altogether like one in love; and I would want a good friend to come to me rather than the best quail or cock among men,¹ and yes, by Zeus, rather than a horse and a dog; and I think, by the Dog,² that I would far rather acquire a companion than Darius’ gold,³ or rather,