Socrates : That is splendid, Hippias ! Your reputation will be a monument of wisdom for the city of Elis and your parents. [364b] But now what do you say about Achilles and Odysseus ? Which do you say is the better and in what respect ? For when there were many of us in the room, and you were making your exhibition, I could not keep up with what you were saying : for I hesitated to ask questions, because there was a great crowd in the room, also for fear of hindering your exhibition by doing so ; but now, since we are fewer and Eudicus here urges me to question you, speak and tell us clearly [364c] what you said about these two men ; how did you distinguish them ?
Hippias : Why I am glad, Socrates, to explain to you still more clearly what I say about these and others also. For I say that Homer made Achilles the bravest man of those who went to Troy, and Nestor the wisest, and Odysseus the wiliest.
Socrates : Oh dear, Hippias ! Would you do me the favour not to laugh at me if I find it hard to understand what you say, and keep asking questions over and over ? [364d] Please try to answer me gently and courteously.
Hippias : Of course ; for it would be a disgrace, Socrates, if I, who teach others good manners and charge them money for it, should not myself, when questioned by you, be considerate and reply gently.