Socrates : Indeed, Eudicus, there are some points in what Hippias was just now saying of Homer, [363b] about which I should like to question him. For I used to hear your father Apemantus say that Homer’s Iliad was a finer poem than the Odyssey, and just as much finer as Achilles was finer than Odysseus for he said that one of these poems was made with Odysseus ; the other with Achilles as its subject. So that is a point about which, if it is agreeable to Hippias, I should like to ask — what he thinks about these two men, which of them he says is the better ; [363c] for he has told us in his exhibition many other things of sorts about Homer and other poets.
Eudicus : It is plain enough that Hippias will not object answering if you ask him a question. Oh, Hippias, if Socrates asks you a question, will you answer ? or what will you do ?
Hippias : Why, Eudicus, it would be strange conduct on my part, if I, who always go up to Olympia to the festival of the Greeks from my home at Elis, and entering the sacred precinct, offer to speak on anything that anyone chooses of those subjects [363d] which I prepared for exhibition, and to answer any questions that anyone asks — should now avoid being questioned by Socrates.
[364a] Socrates : You are in a state of blessedness, Hippias, if at every Olympiad you come to the sanctuary with fair hopes concerning your soul and its wisdom ; and I should be surprised if any of the physical athletes when he goes to that same place to take part in the contests, has such fearless confidence in his body as you have in your intellect.Hippias : Naturally, Socrates, I am in this state : for since I began to contend at the Olympic games, I never yet met anyone better than myself in anything.