Interpretation of Plato’s SOPHIST by SMF

Source text:

Theodorus. Here we are, Socrates, true to our agreement of

yesterday; and we bring with us a stranger from Elea, who is a

disciple of Parmenides and Zeno, and a true philosopher.

Socrates. Is he not rather a god, Theodorus, who comes to us in

the disguise of a stranger? For Homer says that all the gods, and

especially the god of strangers, are companions of the meek and

just, and visit the good and evil among men. And may not your

companion be one of those higher powers, a cross-examining deity,

who has come to spy out our weakness in argument, and to cross-examine

us?

Theod. Nay, Socrates, he is not one of the disputatious sort-he is

too good for that. And, in my opinion, he is not a god at all; but

divine he certainly is, for this is a title which I should give to all

philosophers.

Soc. Capital, my friend! and I may add that they are almost as

hard to be discerned as the gods. For the true philosophers, and

such as are not merely made up for the occasion, appear in various

forms unrecognized by the ignorance of men, and they "hover about

cities," as Homer declares, looking from above upon human life; and

some think nothing of them, and others can never think enough; and

sometimes they appear as statesmen, and sometimes as sophists; and

then, again, to many they seem to be no better than madmen. I should

like to ask our Eleatic friend, if he would tell us, what is thought

about them in Italy, and to whom the terms are applied.

Modern interpretation:

Theodoros. Here Socrates, in accordance with our agreement

Yesterday; and we bring a stranger from Eleah.

A student of Parmenides and Zeno, and a true philosopher.

Socrates. He is not a god, Theodoros,

Hiding a foreigner? Homer is all gods, too

The foreign god is a very tender friend,

Come and visit the good and the bad among the people. And maybe not you

The partner is one of those higher powers, the god of interrogation,

Who first checked the weakness of the debate and threw questions

We?

Theodo. No, Socrates, he is not one of the boys who opposes him

That's great. And in my opinion, he is not a god at all. However

He is a real god because that is the subject I have to give to everyone

philosopher.

Soc. Capital, my friend! And I would add that they are very similar

It is difficult to distinguish ourselves as gods. In true philosophy, too

Not only to pay for this situation, but to appear in various ways, etc.

Forms are anonymous for men, and "

We look at human life from above, as Homer calls it "a city".

Some people don’t think about it at all, others can’t think enough. And

Sometimes they meet politicians and sometimes as high-profile people. And

And, again, to many, they seem to be second to none. I should

I would like to ask our Eleatic friends, what do you think when they tell us?

About them in Italy, and who the conditions apply to.