Socrates : Well, that shall be done, God willing, Hippias. Now, however, give me a brief answer to a question about your discourse, for you reminded me of the beautiful just at the right moment. For recently, my most excellent friend, as I was finding fault with some things in certain speeches as ugly and praising other things as beautiful, a man threw me into confusion by questioning me very insolently somewhat after this fashion : “How, if you please, do you know, Socrates,” said he, (286d) “what sort of things are beautiful and ugly ? For, come now, could you tell me what the beautiful is ?” And I, being of no account, was at a loss and could not answer him properly ; and so, as I was going away from the company, I was angry with myself and reproached myself, and threatened that the first time I met one of you wise men, I would hear and learn and practise and then go back to the man who questioned me to renew the wordy strife. So now, as I say, you have come at the right moment ; (286e) just teach me satisfactorily what the absolute beautiful is, and try in replying to speak as accurately as possible, that I may not be confuted a second time and be made ridiculous again. For you doubtless know clearly, and this would doubtless be but a small example of your wide learning.
Hippias : Yes, surely, by Zeus, a small one, Socrates, and, I may say, of no value.
Socrates : Then I shall learn it easily, and nobody will confute me any more.
Hippias : Nobody, surely ; for in that case my profession would be (287a) worthless and ordinary.
Socrates : That is good, by Hera, Hippias, if we are to worst the fellow. But may I without hindering you imitate him, and when you answer, take exception to what you say, in order that you may give me as much practice as possible ? For I am more or less experienced in taking exceptions. So, if it is all the same to you, I wish to take exceptions, that I may learn more vigorously.
Hippias : Oh yes, take exceptions. For, as I said just now, (287b) the question is no great matter, but I could teach you to answer much harder ones than this, so that nobody in the world could confute you.