[31] Plato, Euthyphron, c. 16, pp. 13, 14.
Holiness — rectitude in sacrifice and prayer — right traffic between men and the Gods.
Euthyph. — It would cost me some labour to go through the case fully. But so much I tell you in plain terms. If a man, when sacrificing and praying, knows what deeds and what words will be agreeable to the Gods, that is holiness: this it is which upholds the security both of private houses and public communities. The contrary is unholiness, which subverts and ruins them.[32] Sokr. — Holiness, then, is the knowledge of rightly sacrificing and praying to the Gods; that is, of giving to them, and asking from them. To ask rightly, is to ask what we want from them: to give rightly, is to give to them what they want from us. Holiness will thus be an art of right traffic between Gods and men. Still, you must tell me how the Gods are gainers by that which we give to them. That we are gainers by what they give, is clear enough; but what do they gain on their side?
[32] Plato, Euthyphron, c. 16, p. 14 B. Compare this third unsuccessful answer of Euthyphron with the third answer assigned to Hippias (Hipp. Maj. 291 C-E). Both of them appear lengthened, emphatic, as if intended to settle a question which had become vexatious.
This will not stand — the Gods gain nothing — they receive from men marks of honour and gratitude — they are pleased therewith — the Holy, therefore, must be that which is pleasing to the Gods.
Euthyph. — The Gods gain nothing. The gifts which we present to them consist in honour, marks of respect, gratitude. Sokr. — The holy, then, is that which obtains favour from the Gods; not that which gainful to them, nor that which they love. Euthyph. — Nay: I think they love it especially. Sokr. — Then it appears that the holy is what the Gods love? Euthyph. — Unquestionably.
This is the same explanation which was before declared insufficient. A fresh explanation is required from Euthyphron. He breaks off the dialogue.
Sokr. — But this is the very same explanation which we rejected a short time ago as untenable.[33] It was agreed between us, that to be loved by the Gods was not of the essence of holiness, and could not serve as an explanation of holiness: though it might be truly affirmed thereof as an accompanying predicate. Let us therefore try again to discover what holiness is. I rely upon you to help me, and I am sure that you must know, since under a confident persuasion that you know, you are indicting your own father for homicide.
[33] Plato, Euthyphron, c. 19, p. 15 C. μέμνησαι γάρ που, ὅτι ἐν τῷ ἐμπροσθεν τό τε ὅσιον καὶ τὸ θεοφιλὲς οὐ ταὐτὸν ἡμῖν ἐφάνη, ἀλλ’ ἕτερα ἀλλήλων.
Euthyph. — “The investigation must stand over to another time, I have engagements now which call me elsewhere.”