SOCRATES AND CHAERECRATES 361
cares about brothers ? It seems a friend may be dis- covered in an ordinary citizen, but not in a blood rela- tion who is also a brother. And yet it is a great van- tage-ground toward friendship to have sprung from the same loins and to have been suckled at the same breasts, since even among beasts a certain natural craving and sympathy springs up between creatures reared together. Added to which, a man who has brothers commands more respect from the rest of the world than the man who has none, and who must fight his own battles.
Chaerecrates. I dare say, Socrates, where the differ- ences are not profound, reason would a man should bear with his brother, and not avoid him for some mere trifle's sake, for a brother of the right sort is, as you say, a blessing ; but if he be the very antithesis of that, why should a man lay to his hand to achieve the impossible ?
Socrates. Well now, tell me, is there nobody whom Chaerephon can please any more than he can please yourself ; or do some people find him agreeable enough ?
Chaerecrates. Nay, there you hit it. That is just why I have a right to detest him. He can be pleas- ing enough to others, but to me, whenever he appears on the scene, he is not a blessing — no ! but by every manner of means the reverse.
Socrates. May it not happen that just as a horse is no gain to the inexpert rider who essays to handle him, so in like manner, if a man tries to deal with his brother after an ignorant fashion, this same brother will kick ?
Chaerecrates. But is it likely now ? How should I be ignorant of the art of dealing with my brother if I
