before.

Now, here's a marvel! (exclaimed Antisthenes, and as he spoke he eyed
the witness with an air of triumph). You can render people just to all
the world, but towards yourself you cannot?

Pray, where's the wonder? (asked the other). Do you not see what
scores of carpenters and house-builders there are who spend their time
in building houses for half the world; but for themselves they simply
cannot do it, and are forced to live in lodgings. And so admit that
home-thrust, Master Sophist;[3] and confess yourself confuted.

[3] "Professor of wisdom."

Upon my soul, he had best accept his fate[4] (said Socrates). Why,
after all, you are only like those prophets who proverbially foretell
the future for mankind, but cannot foresee what is coming upon
themselves.

[4] Or, "the coup de grace."

And so the first discussion ended.[5]

[5] Or, "so ended fytte the first of the word-controversy."

Thereupon Niceratus: Lend me your ears, and I will tell you in what
respects you shall be better for consorting with myself. I presume,
without my telling you, you know that Homer, being the wisest of
mankind, has touched upon nearly every human topic in his poems.[6]
Whosoever among you, therefore, would fain be skilled in economy, or