Book Cover of Lesser Hippias

Lesser Hippias

by Plato

Hippias Minor or On Lying, is thought to be one of Plato's early works. Socrates matches wits with an arrogant polymath, who is also a smug literary critic. Hippias believes that Homer can be taken at face value, and he also thinks that Achilles may be believed when he says he hates liars, whereas Odysseus' resourceful (πολύτροπος) behavior stems from his ability to lie well (365b). Socrates argues that Achilles is a cunning liar who throws people off the scent of his own deceptions and that cunning liars are actually the "best" liars. Consequently, Odysseus was equally false and true and so was Achilles (369b). Socrates proposes, possibly for the sheer dialectical fun of it, that it is better to do evil voluntarily than involuntarily. His case rests largely on the analogy with athletic skills, such as running and wrestling. He says that a runner or wrestler who deliberately sandbags is better than the one who plods along because he can do no better.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

Greek

Published In

Author

Plato image

Plato

Greece

Plato ( Classical Attic; 428/427 or 424/423 – 348/347 BC)) was an Athenian philosopher during the Classical period in Ancient Greece, founder of the Platonist school of thought and the Academy,...

More on Plato

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

Herodotus' Histories Vol 3 Cover image

Herodotus' Histories Vol 3 by Herodotus of Halicarnassus

The Histories of Herodotus of Halicarnassus is considered the first work of history in Western literature. Written about 440 BC, the Histories tell th...

From the Foundation of the City Vol. 01 Cover image

From the Foundation of the City Vol. 01 by Titus Livius

Ab urbe condita, is a monumental history of ancient Rome written in the Latin language by Titus Livius(Livy), an ancient Roman historian. The work cov...

Station Life in New Zealand  Cover image

Station Life in New Zealand by Mary Anne Barker

STATION LIFE IN NEW ZEALAND is a fascinating account of the time Lady Mary Anne Barker lived on a sheep station on the south island of New Zealand. It...

On Generation and Corruption  Cover image

On Generation and Corruption by Aristotle

On Generation and Corruption also known as On Coming to Be and Passing Away is a treatise by Aristotle. Like many of his texts, it is both scientific...

History Of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Vol. 3 Cover image

History Of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Vol. 3 by Gaston Maspero

History Of Egypt, Chaldæa, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria is the masterwork of one of the fathers of modern Egyptology. This work, in twelve volumes, w...

The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness  Cover image

The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness by Florence Hartley

A guide for ladies, written in 1860, on what is accepted as correct behavior in polite society. The advice covers dress, travelling, staying in hotels...

Phallic Worship Cover image

Phallic Worship by Hargrave Jennings

It explores the ancient practice of phallic worship across various cultures and civilizations. It was written in the 19th century and is still conside...

Greek Athletics Cover image

Greek Athletics by Frederick Adam Wright

The history of Greek athletics as it pertains to the Olympics. Describes various activities such as boxing, wrestling, etc. and accounts from witnesse...

Movement & Progression of Animals Cover image

Movement & Progression of Animals by Aristotle

It offers a detailed exploration of the movement and behavior of animals. In "Movement & Progression of Animals", Aristotle divides the animal kingdo...

History Of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Vol. 1 Cover image

History Of Egypt, Chaldea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Vol. 1 by Gaston Maspero

History Of Egypt, Chaldæa, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria is the masterwork of one of the fathers of modern egyptology. This work, in twelve volumes, w...

Reviews for Lesser Hippias

No reviews posted or approved, yet...