of him or his society.

Soc. Well! what of the quarrelsome and factious person[4] whose main
object is to saddle his friends with a host of enemies?

[4] "The partisan."

Cri. For God's sake let us avoid him also.

Soc. But now we will imagine a man exempt indeed from all the above
defects--a man who has no objection to receive kindnesses, but it
never enters into his head to do a kindness in return.

Cri. There will be no good in him either. But, Socrates, what kind of
man shall we endeavour to make our friend? what is he like?

Soc. I should say he must be just the converse of the above: he has
control over the pleasures of the body, he is kindly disposed,[5]
upright in all his dealings,[6] very zealous is he not to be outdone
in kindness by his benefactors, if only his friends may derive some
profit from his acquaintance.

[5] Reading {eunous}, or if {euorkos}, transl. "a man of his word."

[6] Or, "easy to deal with."

Cri. But how are we to test these qualities, Socrates, before
acquaintance?

Soc. How do we test the merits of a sculptor?--not by inferences drawn