Wisdom for Sale? The Sophists and Money

Classical Philology, 104 no.1, pp. 13–33

by Håkan Tell

Plato constantly accuses the sophists of teaching for money.1 For example, in the Hippias Maior (282c–d), Sokrates elaborates a distinction between the wise men of old, who did not think it right to charge fees, and the sophists of his own day, who all made huge profits from their instruction. This comparison is not incidental; it is absolutely integral to
Plato’s characterization of the sophists and their practices. But why is money so important as a distinguishing trait? Is it merely a descriptive term reflecting a historical fact—the sophists were the first to charge money for wisdom— or is it possible to discern other motivations as well? It is my contention that scholars have not paid sufficient attention to how redolent of disparagement and bias is the close association of the sophists and their sophia with money and fees. 2 This paper will explore some possible connotations this connection carried in antiquity. I will also develop reasons why Plato adopted it as basic to his portrayal of the sophists.

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