restrained?"

P. "Restrain the spirit of truth, Socrates?"

S. "If it be doggishly inclined. As, for instance, if a man knew
that his father had committed a shameful act, and were to publish
it, he would do so by the spirit of truth. Yet such an act would be
blackguardly, and to be restrained."

P. "Of course."

S. "But much more, if he accused his father only on his own private
suspicion, not having seen him commit the act; while many others,
who had watched his father's character more than he did, assured him
that he was mistaken."

P. "Such an act would be to be restrained, not merely as
blackguardly, but as impious."

S. "Or if a man believed things derogatory to the character of the
Gods, not having seen them do wrong himself, while all those who had
given themselves to the study of divine things assured him that he
was mistaken, would he not be bound to restrain an inclination to
speak such things, even if he believed them?"

P. "Surely, Socrates; and that even if he believed that the Gods
did not exist at all. For there would be far more chance that he
alone was wrong, and the many right, than that the many were wrong,
and he alone right. He would therefore commit an insolent and
conceited action, and, moreover, a cruel and shameless one; for he