S. "Bravely spoken of him, and worthily of a free state. But tell
me, Alcibiades, with what matters does religion deal?"

A. "With the Gods."

S. "Then it is not hurtful to speak false things of the Gods?"

A. "Not unless you know them to be false."

S. "But answer me this, Alcibiades. If you made a mistake
concerning numbers, as that twice two made five, might it not be
hurtful to you?"

A. "Certainly; for I might pay away five obols instead of four."

S. "And so be punished, not by any anger of two and two against
you, but by those very necessary laws of number, which you had
mistaken?"

A. "Yes."

S. "Or if you made a mistake concerning music, as that two
consecutive notes could produce harmony, that opinion also, if you
acted upon it, would be hurtful to you?"

A. "Certainly; for I should make a discord, and pain my own ears,
and my hearers'."

S. "And in this case also, be punished, not by any anger of the
lyre against you, but by those very necessary laws of music which