The Syr. Not I, indeed; I am terribly afraid concerning him. It is
plain enough to me that certain people are contriving for his
ruin.[82]

[82] {diaphtheirai} = (1) to destroy, make away with; (2) to ruin and
corrupt, seduce by bribes or otherwise.

Good gracious![83] (Socrates exclaimed, when he heard that), what
crime can they conceive your boy is guilty of that they should wish to
make an end of him?

[83] Lit. "Heracles!" "Zounds!"

The Syr. I do not say they want to murder him, but wheedle him away
with bribes to pass his nights with them.

Soc. And if that happened, you on your side, it appears, believe the
boy will be corrupted?

The Syr. Beyond all shadow of a doubt, most villainously.

Soc. And you, of course, you never dream of such a thing. You don't
spend nights with him?

The Syr. Of course I do, all night and every night.

Soc. By Hera, what a mighty piece of luck[84] for you--to be so
happily compounded, of such flesh and blood. You alone can't injure
those who sleep beside you. You have every right, it seems, to boast
of your own flesh, if nothing else.