POLITICUS (Statesman) by Plato - Complete text

Page 54

Y. Soc. What do you mean?

Str. The idea which has to be grasped by us is not easy or familiar; but we may attempt to express it thus: - Supposing the government of which I have been speaking to be the only true model, then the others must use the written laws of this - in no other can they be saved; they will have to do what is now generally approved, although not the best thing in the world.

Y. Soc. What is this?

Str. No citizen should do anything contrary to the laws, and any infringement of them should be punished with death and the most extreme penalties; and this is very right and good when regarded as the second best thing, if you set aside the first, of which I was just now speaking. Shall I explain the nature of what call the second best?

Y. Soc. By all means.

Str. I must again have recourse to my favourite images; through them, and them alone, can I describe kings and rulers.

Y. Soc. What images?

Str. The noble pilot and the wise physician, who "is worth many another man" - in the similitude of these let us endeavour to discover some image of the king.

Y. Soc. What sort of image?

Previous Page / First / Next

Learned Freeware

Plato : POLITICUS

Learned Freeware