The unintelligent, cowards and joy

SocratesWhat then? Do you call unintelligent and cowardly men good? For you didn’t just now, at any rate: it was the brave and intelligent you were speaking of. Or aren’t these the ones you call good?

CalliclesAbsolutely.

SocratesAnd what of this? Have you ever seen a senseless child enjoying himself?

CalliclesI have.

SocratesAnd have you never yet seen a senseless man enjoying himself?

CalliclesI think so. But what of it?

498aSocratesNothing. Just answer.

CalliclesI have seen one.

SocratesWhat then? One who has sense, feeling pain and enjoying himself?

CalliclesI do say so.

SocratesAnd which enjoy themselves and feel pain more, the intelligent or the unintelligent?

CalliclesI think there is no great difference.

SocratesWell, even that will do. And in war, have you ever seen a cowardly man?

CalliclesHow could I not?

SocratesWhat then? When the enemy were withdrawing, which seemed to you to enjoy themselves more, the cowards or the brave?

498bCalliclesBoth, I think; or if not, about equally.

SocratesIt makes no difference. The cowards, at any rate, enjoy themselves too?

CalliclesVery much so.

SocratesAnd the unintelligent too, it seems.

CalliclesYes.

SocratesAnd when the enemy are advancing, is it only the cowards who feel pain, or the brave as well?

CalliclesBoth.

SocratesEqually?

CalliclesThe cowards more, perhaps.

SocratesAnd when the enemy withdraw, don’t they enjoy themselves more?

CalliclesPerhaps.

498cSocratesThen the unintelligent and the intelligent and the cowards and the brave feel pain and enjoy themselves about equally, as you say, but the cowards more than the brave?

CalliclesI do say so.