Phaedrus informs Socrates that he has just heard a speech by Lysias, the greatest rhetorician of the time and a sophist. Socrates, eager to hear Lysias' speech, invites Phaedrus to recall it. Phaedrus obliges and recounts Lysias' speech describing the advantages and disadvantages of love and non-lover. Lysias' speech is intended to persuade the audience to view the non-lover as the more accommodating choice. “But if you are persuaded by me, first, in my association with you I will concern myself not with present pleasure, but also with the benefit which the future holds for me; I will not be defeated by love, but by self-mastery…” (Phaedrus p. 33). The lover is described as someone who becomes jealous, is obsessive or controlling, and desires the physical before the mind. Furthermore, the lover reports upset, is overly sensitive, encouraging or fearful towards the beloved. Instead, the non-lover is presented as the friend, who prefers the mind to the physical appearance, is less needy and will not diminish your reputation. A person who does not love does not expect gifts in return, exercises more self-control, more rational thoughts, is not jealous of friends or time and is less likely to be.