Thirst and drinking
SocratesSo if we find things that a person is rid of and has at the same time, clearly these at least could not be the good and the evil. Do we agree on this? Consider it very carefully before you answer.
CalliclesOh, I agree—extraordinarily.
SocratesCome, then, to what we agreed earlier. Being hungry: did you say it was pleasant or distressing? I mean being hungry itself.
CalliclesDistressing, I say; but eating when one is hungry I call pleasant.
SocratesI understand; but being hungry itself, at any rate, is distressing. Or isn’t it?
CalliclesI do say so.
SocratesThen being thirsty as well?
CalliclesVery much so.
SocratesThen shall I ask still more, or do you agree that every lack and every desire is distressing?
CalliclesI agree, but don’t ask.
SocratesVery well. And drinking when one is thirsty—you say that is pleasant, don’t you?
CalliclesI do.
SocratesThen in what you describe, the being thirsty is surely being in pain?
CalliclesYes.
SocratesAnd the drinking is a filling of the lack, and a pleasure?
CalliclesYes.
SocratesSo it is in drinking, you say, that one enjoys oneself?
CalliclesExactly.
SocratesWhile thirsty, at any rate.
CalliclesI do.
SocratesIn pain?
CalliclesYes.