Chapter 2, Memoirs of Socrates, Book Three Summary and Analysis

In Book Three, Xenophon focuses on how Socrates helped those with good ambitious through teaching them to apply themselves. The first story concerns Dionysodorus, who came to Athens to teach the art of military command. Socrates tries to convince Dionysodorus that he should have a more expansive conception of the jobs of a general, including providing supplies to his men, being attentive and acquiring virtue generally. In subsection two, Xenophon shows Socrates emphasizing that being a good general requires being a good leader and securing the happiness of his followers.

Subsection three contains a conversation Socrates had with a young man about why he was focused on becoming a cavalry officer. Socrates mentions some potential explanations and the man says he wanted to serve his country. Socrates then asks the man...