Plato: Book 1

When Socrates is finished discussing with Cephalus how to endure old age with mild trouble, he inquires of Cephalus that “it is not due to character that you bear old age so easily but due to possessing great substance. They say that for the rich there are many consolations.” (329e) He is pointing out that some accusers believe that Cephalus has become a happy old man simply because he is rich and well off and not due to his character. Cephalus concedes that this is partially true, but he makes the point that if someone in poverty is discontented with old age he would still be discontented with old age if he had wealth. I did not expect this answer from Cephalus, I rather expected him to completely defend himself by saying that he came across his contentment through his own intellectual means because he later on asserts that “wealth is very useful to an intelligent man.” (331b) and explains that the possession of wealth serves as a moral barrier that protects a man from certain temptations. I wish Cephalus had elaborated further on his answer to Socrates because I liked his earlier explanation on how he obtained peace in his old age.