Hippias Minor

What if the person who lies on purpose is actually wiser-and even better-than the one who lies by accident?

In Hippias Minor, Plato delivers one of his most controversial and perplexing dialogues. Socrates challenges Hippias on the nature of lying and moral responsibility, arguing that intentional wrongdoers might, paradoxically, be superior to those who act in ignorance. Through this conversation, Plato forces us to examine the roots of ethical behavior, knowledge, and character.

This modern translation brings fresh clarity to Plato's subtle reasoning and dark humor. What appears at first to be a playful literary debate soon becomes an unsettling philosophical inquiry into truth, virtue, and the nature of agency. Socrates' relentless questioning destabilizes easy answers and encourages readers to consider whether moral goodness requires not just right action-but understanding and control over one's intentions.

What You'll Discover in This Modern Translation:

• A Startling Ethical Paradox - Examine Plato's claim that knowledge may empower intentional wrongdoing-and what that means for virtue.
• Socrates at His Most Provocative - Follow a dialogue that tests the limits of logic, morality, and rhetorical skill.
• A Modern Translation with Philosophical Clarity - Accessible prose preserves the complexity of Plato's argument without losing its depth.
• Exploration of Homer, Truth, and Intellect - Discover how ancient texts like The Iliad inform Plato's ideas about deceit and character.
• Timeless Themes of Intention, Knowledge, and Justice - Reflect on the difference between ignorance and evil-and which may be worse.

Whether you're drawn to ancient ethics, philosophical puzzles, or the battle between knowledge and morality, Hippias Minor is a compact masterpiece that will leave you questioning what it truly means to be good.