(31) For the style of this enconium (of the {nomimos}) cf. "Ages." i.
36; and for the "Socratic" reverence for law cf. Plat. "Crito."
Then Hippias: Nay, upon my soul, Socrates, I am not aware of holding any contrary opinion to what you have uttered on the theme of justice. (32)
(32) Lit. "the just and upright," {tou dikaiou}.
Soc. But now, are you aware, Hippias, of certain unwritten laws? (33)
(33) See Soph. "Antig." "Oed. T." 865, and Prof. Jebb ad loc.; Dem.
"de Cor." 317, 23; Aristot. "Rhet." I. xiii.
Yes (he answered), those held in every part of the world, and in the same sense.
Can you then assert (asked Socrates) of these unwritten laws that men made them?
Nay, how (he answered) should that be, for how could they all have come together from the ends of the earth? and even if they had so done, men are not all of one speech? (34)
(34) Or, "there would be difficulty of understanding each other, and a
babel of tongues."
Soc. Whom then do you believe to have been the makers of these laws.