The Definition of Virtue

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by Plato
2 min read 403 words
Table of Contents
Socrates
Socrates

I am seeking a definition of all virtue

Meno

I would define virtue as the power of governing mankind.

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

Does this definition of virtue include all virtue? Is virtue the same in a child and in a slave, Meno?

Can the child govern his father, or the slave his master; and would he who governed be any longer a slave?

Meno

I think not, Socrates.

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

To you, virtue is ’the power of governing.’ But do you add ‘justly’?

Meno

Yes, I agree there; for justice is virtue.

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

Would you say that ‘justice is virtue’ or ‘justice is a virtue’?

For example, is round ‘a figure’ and there are other figures, or is round the only figure?

Meno

Yes. There are other virtues such as courage, temperance, wisdom, and magnanimity. There are many others.

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

Yes, in searching after one virtue we have found many.

But we have been unable to find the common virtue which runs through them all.

All things have a common notion.

For example, I ask you: what is figure?

Meno

Figure is ‘roundness’

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

Is roundness ‘figure’ or ‘a figure?

Meno

A figure, because there are other figures

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

What is color?

Meno

Colour is whiteness.

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

Is whiteness colour or a colour?

Meno

A colour, because there are other colours as well.

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

What are they?

Meno

The colors other than white

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

But that is the wrong answer.

You call them by a common name.

You say that they are all figures, even when opposed to one another.

What is that common nature which you call figure which contains straight and round, and is no more one than the other?

You do not mean to say that the round is round any more than straight, or the straight any more straight than round.

You only assert that the round figure is not more a figure than the straight, or the straight than the round.

To what then do we give the name of figure?

Suppose that when a person asked you this question about figure or colour

Meno

I will reply that I do not know what he is saying.

Meno
Socrates
Socrates

He would reply that he is looking for the ‘simile in multis’?

What is that ‘simile in multis’ which you call figure, and which includes not only round and straight figures, but all?

Meno

I would rather that you should answer, Socrates.

Meno

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