Briefly: what is rhetoric about?
SocratesThen would you be willing, Gorgias, to carry on as we are conversing now, sometimes asking and sometimes answering, and to put off for another time speeches of this length, the kind Polus too began with? But don’t break your promise; be willing, rather, to answer briefly what you are asked.
GorgiasThere are some answers, Socrates, that necessarily take long speeches; all the same, I will try, at least, to make them as brief as possible. For this is another of the things I claim: that no one could say the same things in fewer words than I.
SocratesThat is exactly what is needed, Gorgias; and give me a display of just that—brevity—and leave long-windedness for another time.
GorgiasWell, I will; and you’ll say you’ve never heard anyone speak more briefly.
SocratesCome now: you say you are expert in the art of rhetoric, and could make someone else an orator too. What, among the things that are, is rhetoric concerned with? As weaving is concerned with the production of clothes—isn’t it so?
GorgiasYes.
SocratesThen music too is concerned with the making of songs?
GorgiasYes.
SocratesBy Hera, Gorgias, I do admire your answers, because you answer as briefly as possible.
GorgiasYes, for I think I do it quite well, Socrates.
SocratesWell said. Come, then, answer me in the same way about rhetoric too: what, among the things that are, is it knowledge concerned with?
GorgiasWith speeches.