[11] Lit. "the art of administering an estate."

Critobulus retorted: I see, Socrates, you are doing your very best to
escape an irksome task: you would rather not, if you can help it,
stretch out so much as your little finger to help me to bear my
necessary burthens more easily.

Soc. No, upon my word, I am not trying to escape: on the contrary, I
shall be ready, as far as I can, to expound the matter to you.[12]
. . . Still it strikes me, if you had come to me for fire, and I had
none in my house, you would not blame me for sending you where you
might get it; or if you had asked me for water, and I, having none to
give, had led you elsewhere to the object of your search, you would
not, I am sure, have disapproved; or did you desire to be taught music
by me, and I were to point out to you a far more skilful teacher than
myself, who would perhaps be grateful to you moreover for becoming his
pupil, what kind of exception could you take to my behaviour?

[12] Or, "to play the part of {exegetes}, 'legal adviser,' or
'spiritual director,' to be in fact your 'guide, philosopher, and
friend.'"

Crit. None, with any show of justice, Socrates.

Soc. Well, then, my business now is, Critobulus, to point out[13] to
you some others cleverer than myself about those matters which you are
so anxious to be taught by me. I do confess to you, I have made it
long my study to discover who among our fellow-citizens in this city
are the greatest adepts in the various branches of knowledge.[14] I