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The Republic: The Allegory of the Cave
The Republic: The Allegory of the Cave

Chapter III

Chapter 3, section 1: SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning. For Glaucon, who is always the mo
Context Illustration Reading 1/97 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.
For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.
So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?
I should wish really to persuade you, I replied, if I could.
Then you certainly have not succeeded.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Republic: The Allegory of the Cave

Chapter III

Reading 1/97 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.
Line 2
For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.
Line 3
So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?
Line 4
I should wish really to persuade you, I replied, if I could.
Line 5
Then you certainly have not succeeded.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Beginning noun US /ˈbeginning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “I should wish really to persuade you, I replied, if I could.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “I should wish really to persuade you, I replied, if I could.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.”

Thinking noun US /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.”

All words in this reading · 65

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

always

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

battle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

better

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

certainly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then you certainly have not succeeded.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading I should wish really to persuade you, I replied, if I could.

discussion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

dissatisfied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

end

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

GLAUCON

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading I should wish really to persuade you, I replied, if I could.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

just

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Then you certainly have not succeeded.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

persuade

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

persuaded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

proved

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

pugnacious

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

really

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I should wish really to persuade you, I replied, if I could.

retirement

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

seem

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading I should wish really to persuade you, I replied, if I could.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

SOCRATES

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

succeeded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then you certainly have not succeeded.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

Then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then you certainly have not succeeded.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

thinkingnounUS /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

Thrasymachus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

truth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

unjust

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

wanted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading For Glaucon, who is always the most pugnacious of men, was dissatisfied at Thrasymachus' retirement; he wanted to have the battle out.

wish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?

WITHprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

words

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading SOCRATES - GLAUCON WITH these words I was thinking that I had made an end of the discussion; but the end, in truth, proved to be only a beginning.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading So he said to me: Socrates, do you wish really to persuade us, or only to seem to have persuaded us, that to be just is always better than to be unjust?