Note 71 — Chapter XXIII · PROTAGORAS.

Plato, Protag. p. 334 B. Οὕτω δὲ ποικίλον τί ἐστι τὸ ἀγαθὸν καὶ παντοδαπόν, &c.

The explanation here given by Protagoras of good is the same as that which is given by the historical Sokrates himself in the Xenophontic Memorabilia (iii. 8). Things called good are diverse in the highest degree; but they are all called good because they all contribute in some way to human security, relief, comfort, or prosperity. To one or other of these ends good, in all its multifarious forms, is relative.