THE REPUBLIC OF PLATO - Studyplace

I. 331] CEPHALUS: Jurna AS HONESTY 7
That is admirably expressed, admirably. Now in this, as I believe,
lies the chief value of wealth, not for everyone, perhaps, but for
the right-thinking man. It can do much to save us from going to
that other world in fear of having cheated or deceived anyone even
unintentionally or of being in debt to some god for sacrifice or to
some man for money. Wealth has many other uses, of course;
but, taking one with another, I should regard this as the best use
that can be made of it by a man of sense.
You put your case admirably, Cephalus, said I. But take this
matter of doing right: can we say that it really consists in nothing
more nor less than telling the truth and paying back anything we
may have received Are not these very actions sometimes right
and sometimes wrong Suppose, for example, a friend who had
lent us a weapon were to go mad and then ask for it back, surely
anyone would say we ought not to return it. It would not be
'right' to do so; nor yet to tell the truth without reserve to a
madman.
No, it would not.
Right conduct, then, cannot be defined as telling the truth and
restoring anything we have been trusted with.
Yes, it can, Polemarchus broke in, at least if we are to believe
Simonides.
Well, well, said Cephalus, I will bequeath the argument to you.
It is time for me to attend to the sacrifice.
Your part, then, said Polemarchus, will fall to me as your heir.
By all means, said Cephalus with a smile; and with that he left
us, to see to the sacrifice.
CHAPTER II (1.331 E-336 A)
POLEMARCHUS: JUSTICE AS
HELPING FRIENDS AND HARMING ENEMIES
Criticism now begins. No doubt it is generally right or just to tell
the truth and pay one's debts; but no list of external actions such as