Well then, what is dear to the gods is holy,
and what is not dear to them is unholy.
Excellent, Euthyphro, now you have answered as I asked you to answer. However, whether it is true, I am not yet sure; but you will, of course, show that what you say is true.
Certainly.
Come then, let us examine our words. The thing and the person that are dear to the gods are holy, and the thing and the person that are hateful to the gods are unholy; and the two are not the same, but the holy and the unholy are the exact opposites of each other. Is not this what we have said?
Yes, just this.
And it seems to be correct?
I think so, Socrates.
Well then, have we said this also, that the gods, Euthyphro, quarrel and disagree with each other, and that there is enmity between them?
Yes, we have said that.
But what things is the disagreement about, which causes enmity and anger? Let us look at it in this way. If you and I were to disagree about number, for instance, which of two numbers were the greater, would the disagreement about these matters make us enemies and make us angry with each other, or should we not quickly settle it by resorting
to arithmetic?
Of course we should.
Then, too, if we were to disagree about the relative size of things, we should quickly put an end to the disagreement by measuring?
Yes.
And we should, I suppose, come to terms about relative weights by weighing?
Of course.
But about what would a disagreement be, which we could not settle and which would cause us to be enemies and be angry with each other? Perhaps you cannot give an answer offhand;
but let me suggest it. Is it not about right and wrong, and noble and disgraceful, and good and bad? Are not these the questions about which you and I and other people become enemies, when we do become enemies, because we differ about them and cannot reach any satisfactory agreement?
Yes, Socrates, these are the questions about which we should become enemies.
And how about the gods, Euthyphro. If they disagree, would they not disagree about these questions?
Necessarily.
Then, my noble Euthyphro, according to what you say, some of the gods too think some things are right or wrong and noble or disgraceful, and good or bad, and others disagree; for they would not quarrel with each other if they did not disagree about these matters. Is that the case?
You are right.
Then the gods in each group love the things which they consider good and right and hate the opposites of these things?