STREPSIADES. But the law nowhere admits that fathers should be treated thus.
PHIDIPPIDES. Was not the legislator who carried this law a man like you and me? In those days he got men to believe him; then why should not I too have the right to establish for the future a new law, allowing children to beat their fathers in turn? We make you a present of all the blows which were received before this law, and admit that you thrashed us with impunity. But look how the cocks and other animals fight with their fathers; and yet what difference is there betwixt them and ourselves, unless it be that they do not propose decrees?
STREPSIADES. But if you imitate the cocks in all things, why don't you scratch up the dunghill, why don't you sleep on a perch?
PHIDIPPIDES. That has no bearing on the case, good sir; Socrates would find no connection, I assure you.
STREPSIADES. Then do not beat at all, for otherwise you have only yourself to blame afterwards.
STREPSIADES. I have the right to chastise you, and you to chastise your son, if you have one.
PHIDIPPIDES. And if I have not, I shall have cried in vain, and you will die laughing in my face.
STREPSIADES. What say you, all here present? It seems to me that he is right, and I am of opinion that they should be accorded their right. If we think wrongly, 'tis but just we should be beaten.
PHIDIPPIDES. Again, consider this other point.
PHIDIPPIDES. But you will certainly feel no more anger because of the blows I have given you.
STREPSIADES. Come, show me what profit I shall gain from it.
PHIDIPPIDES. I shall beat my mother just as I have you.
STREPSIADES. What do you say? what's that you say? Hah! this is far worse still.
PHIDIPPIDES. And what if I prove to you by our school reasoning, that one ought to beat one's mother?
STREPSIADES. Ah! if you do that, then you will only have to throw yourself along with Socrates and his reasoning, into the Barathrum.[573] Oh! Clouds! all our troubles emanate from you, from you, to whom I entrusted myself, body and soul.
CHORUS. No, you alone are the cause, because you have pursued the path of evil.
STREPSIADES. Why did you not say so then, instead of egging on a poor ignorant old man?
CHORUS. We always act thus, when we see a man conceive a passion for what is evil; we strike him with some terrible disgrace, so that he may learn to fear the gods.