Guarantor

Use in the book

The exchange follows the claim that looking toward the divine and bright enables agents to see themselves and their own goods and act well. Socrates’ assurance is conditional on acting in that manner. It is not a contractual pledge that Alcibiades will in fact become virtuous, nor an unconditional prophecy of his political success. Alcibiades’ reply is a compact expression of confidence with a comic possibility: the supplied note recalls the dangerous proverbial reputation of giving pledges. The ending then makes the limit explicit, since Socrates still fears that the city may defeat their resolve. The local guarantee concerns the consequence of the stipulated conduct, while the final anxiety concerns whether that conduct will endure.

Places to read

1. 134d–134eSocrates guarantees happiness if the stated manner of action is maintained.
2. 135eThe final apprehension leaves perseverance uncertain.

Translation in this edition

The edition retains the repeated guarantor-family words. The Delphic proverb mentioned in its note is a contextual comparison, not a quotation spoken in this exchange.

ἀσφαλής

Attested: Ἀσφαλὴς (asphalēs; 134e). Secure or reliable; Alcibiades calls Socrates a reliable guarantor after the promise that right action will bring happiness. Lexical identification: lemma: ἀσφαλής. See Guarantor.

ἐγγυάω

Attested: ἐγγυήσασθαι (engyēsasthai; 134e). To pledge or stand guarantee, here of happiness conditional on the right manner of action. Lexical identification: lemma: ἐγγυάω. See Guarantor.

ἐγγυητής

Attested: ἐγγυητής (engyētēs; 134e). Guarantor, the role in which Alcibiades expresses confidence in Socrates. Lexical identification: lemma: ἐγγυητής. See Guarantor.