Socr. By all means: since it has eyes the best constituted for that which is the purpose of eyes.
Critob. Granted. But of our noses, which is the handsomest, mine or yours?
Socr. I indeed think mine the handsomest, if the gods, in truth, made noses for us to smell with: for your nostrils point downwards to the ground, while mine are spread open, so as to collect smells from all quarters.
Critob. But how can a pug nose be handsomer than a straight one?
Socr. Because it constitutes no barrier, but lets the eyes look straight where they choose; but a high nose, as if out of insolence, sets a wall between the eyes.
Critob. For the mouth, I give up: for if mouths were made to bite with, you can take a much bigger mouthful than I.
Socr. And do you consider it no proof that I am handsomer than you that the Naiads, who are goddesses, have for children Sileni, who are more like me than you?
Critob. I have nothing to say in reply: but let the votes be taken, that I may know as soon as possible what penalty I incur.
Verdict for Critobulus.
(a) There is a sort of ambiguity in the Greek word καλὸς, which is applicable to any sort of excellence, whether beauty of form or aptness to a purpose; so that neither handsome, nor any English single word which occurs to us, exactly expresses its whole meaning. Familiarly, indeed, we do use the term beautiful much in the same way; and speak of a beautiful woman, and a beautiful cricket–bat, without meaning that there is any more similarity between them, either of form or purpose, than Critobulus, when he applies the term καλὸς equally to a man, an ox, or a shield.