evil. You admit that?

He assented.

Now in the working and use of wood, is not that which gives the right use
simply the knowledge of the carpenter?

Nothing else, he said.

And surely, in the manufacture of vessels, knowledge is that which gives
the right way of making them?

He agreed.

And in the use of the goods of which we spoke at first--wealth and health
and beauty, is not knowledge that which directs us to the right use of
them, and regulates our practice about them?

He assented.

Then in every possession and every use of a thing, knowledge is that which
gives a man not only good-fortune but success?

He again assented.

And tell me, I said, O tell me, what do possessions profit a man, if he
have neither good sense nor wisdom? Would a man be better off, having and
doing many things without wisdom, or a few things with wisdom? Look at the
matter thus: If he did fewer things would he not make fewer mistakes? if
he made fewer mistakes would he not have fewer misfortunes? and if he had