Gorgias

Summary

Encomium of Helen

8–14

If, however, it was speech that persuaded her and deceived her soul, it is not difficult to defend her against this too and acquit her of the charge, in the following way. Speech is a powerful master, which accomplishes most divine deeds in the most diminutive and imperceptible body. For it can put an end to fear, take away sorrow, incite joy and augment pity. I will demonstrate that this is so.

Indeed, a demonstration for the listeners that would form their opinion is in order. I consider and call every sort of poetry ‘speech with metre’. Those who listen to it shudder with great fear, and are seized by tearful pity and mournful longing; the soul experiences something personal, through these words, on account of the good or ill fortunes that befall the affairs and bodies of others. But it is time to turn from one point to another.

Through words, inspired incantations bring pleasure and drive away pain. For the power of the incantation, working together with the soul's power of judgement, enchants, persuades and converts it by witchcraft. We know of twin arts, witchcraft and magic, that mislead the soul and deceive the judgement.

So many people have persuaded or do persuade so many others on so many subjects by composing false discourse! Now if everybody had the memory of all past things, awareness of all present things, and foreknowledge of all future things, the same words would not have the same power.