Jowett: act

Soc. But they join issue about the particulars — gods and men alike ; and, if they dispute at all, they dispute about some act which is called in question, and which by some is affirmed to be just, by others to be unjust. Is not that true ? EUTHYPHRO  

Soc. Well then, my dear friend Euthyphro, do tell me, for my better instruction and information, what proof have you that in the opinion of all the gods a servant who is guilty of murder, and is put in chains by the master of the dead man, and dies because he is put in chains before he who bound him can learn from the interpreters of the gods what he ought to do with him, dies unjustly ; and that on behalf of such an one a son ought to proceed against his father and accuse him of murder. How would you show that all the gods absolutely agree in approving of his act ? Prove to me that they do, and I will applaud your wisdom as long as I live. EUTHYPHRO

Soc. I understand ; you mean to say that I am not so quick of apprehension as the judges : for to them you will be sure to prove that the act is unjust, and hateful to the gods. EUTHYPHRO

Soc. And the same holds as in the previous instances ; the state of being loved follows the act of being loved, and not the act the state. EUTHYPHRO

Soc. And does piety or holiness, which has been defined to be the art of attending to the gods, benefit or improve them ? Would you say that when you do a holy act you make any of the gods better ? EUTHYPHRO