The pupil made fast
SocratesAnd surely it would be open to these alone, as one would expect, to hand over their benefaction without a fee, if what they said was true. For someone on whom some other benefaction has been conferred—for instance, one who has become fast through a trainer—might perhaps withhold his thanks, if the trainer handed the benefaction over to him freely and did not agree a fee with him and take the money as nearly as possible at the very moment he imparted the speed; for it is not, I think, by slowness that people do injustice, but by injustice. Am I right?
CalliclesYes.
SocratesThen if someone removes this very thing, injustice, he has nothing to fear that he will ever suffer injustice; on the contrary, it is safe for him alone to hand over this benefaction, if one really could make people good. Is that not so?
CalliclesI do say so.
SocratesThat, then, it seems, is why there is nothing shameful in giving the other kinds of advice for money—about building, for instance, or the other arts.
CalliclesIt seems so, at least.
SocratesBut about this activity—how one might be as good as possible and manage one’s own household or city best—it is held shameful to refuse to give advice unless someone gives one money. Isn’t that right?
CalliclesYes.
SocratesFor clearly this is the reason: this alone of benefactions makes the one who has been well treated desire to do good in return, so that it seems a fine sign if the one who has done good with this benefaction is well treated in return; and if not, not. Is that how things stand?
CalliclesIt is.