Is Archelaus happy?
SocratesThen can you say why you find fault with power of this kind?
PolusI can.
SocratesWhy so? Tell me.
PolusBecause the one who acts like that is bound to suffer a loss.
SocratesAnd isn’t suffering a loss an evil?
PolusCertainly.
SocratesThen, my wonderful friend, it appears to you once again that if acting beneficially follows on doing what seems good, it is a good, and this, so it looks, is having great power; and if not, it is an evil, and having little power. But let us consider this too: isn’t it that we agree that it is sometimes better to do these things we were speaking of just now—to kill people and drive them out and take away their property—and sometimes not?
PolusQuite so.
SocratesThis much, then, so it looks, is agreed both by you and by me.
PolusYes.
SocratesWhen, then, do you say it is better to do these things? Tell me what limit you mark out.
PolusNo, you answer that, Socrates.
SocratesWell then, Polus, if you find it more pleasant to hear it from me, I say that when someone does these things justly, it is better, and when unjustly, worse.
PolusIt’s hard indeed to refute you, Socrates! But couldn’t even a child refute you and show that what you say isn’t true?
SocratesThen I’ll be very grateful to the child, and just as grateful to you, if you refute me and rid me of nonsense. But don’t grow tired of doing a service to a friend: refute me.
PolusBut surely, Socrates, there’s no need at all to refute you with old events: these things that happened yesterday and the day before are enough to refute you and to prove that many people who do injustice are happy.
SocratesWhat things are these?
PolusSurely you see this Archelaus, the son of Perdiccas, ruling Macedonia?
SocratesWell, if I don’t see him, I hear of him, at any rate.
PolusWell, does he seem to you happy or wretched?