第12章
Herethen，Isaid，isanotherorderwhichwillhavetobeconveyedtoourguardians：Letourcitybeaccountedneitherlargenorsmall，butoneandself—sufficing。
Andsurely，saidhe，thisisnotaverysevereorderwhichweimposeuponthem。
Andtheother，saidI，ofwhichwewerespeakingbeforeislighterstill，—Imeanthedutyofdegradingtheoffspringoftheguardianswheninferior，andofelevatingintotherankofguardianstheoffspringofthelowerclasses，whennaturallysuperior。Theintentionwas，that，inthecaseofthecitizensgenerally，eachindividualshouldbeputtotheuseforwhichnaturewhichnatureintendedhim，onetoonework，andtheneverymanwoulddohisownbusiness，andbeoneandnotmany；andsothewholecitywouldbeoneandnotmany。
Yes，hesaid；thatisnotsodifficult。
Theregulationswhichweareprescribing，mygoodAdeimantus，arenot，asmightbesupposed，anumberofgreatprinciples，buttriflesall，ifcarebetaken，asthesayingis，oftheonegreatthing，——athing，however，whichIwouldrathercall，notgreat，butsufficientforourpurpose。
Whatmaythatbe？heasked。
Education，Isaid，andnurture：Ifourcitizensarewelleducated，andgrowintosensiblemen，theywilleasilyseetheirwaythroughallthese，aswellasothermatterswhichIomit；such，forexample，asmarriage，thepossessionofwomenandtheprocreationofchildren，whichwillallfollowthegeneralprinciplethatfriendshaveallthingsincommon，astheproverbsays。
Thatwillbethebestwayofsettlingthem。
Also，Isaid，theState，ifoncestartedwell，moveswithaccumulatingforcelikeawheel。Forgoodnurtureandeducationimplantgoodconstitutions，andthesegoodconstitutionstakingrootinagoodeducationimprovemoreandmore，andthisimprovementaffectsthebreedinmanasinotheranimals。
Verypossibly，hesaid。
Thentosumup：Thisisthepointtowhich，aboveall，theattentionofourrulersshouldbedirected，——thatmusicandgymnasticbepreservedintheiroriginalform，andnoinnovationmade。Theymustdotheirutmosttomaintainthemintact。AndwhenanyonesaysthatmankindmostregardThenewestsongwhichthesingershave，theywillbeafraidthathemaybepraising，notnewsongs，butanewkindofsong；andthisoughtnottobepraised，orconceivedtobethemeaningofthepoet；foranymusicalinnovationisfullofdangertothewholeState，andoughttobeprohibited。SoDamontellsme，andIcanquitebelievehim；—hesaysthatwhenmodesofmusicchange，oftheStatealwayschangewiththem。
Yes，saidAdeimantus；andyoumayaddmysuffragetoDamon’sandyourown。
Then，Isaid，ourguardiansmustlaythefoundationsoftheirfortressinmusic？
Yes，hesaid；thelawlessnessofwhichyouspeaktooeasilystealsin。
Yes，Ireplied，intheformofamusement；andatfirstsightitappearsharmless。
Why，yes，hesaid，andthereisnoharm；wereitnotthatlittlebylittlethisspiritoflicence，findingahome，imperceptiblypenetratesintomannersandcustoms；whence，issuingwithgreaterforce，itinvadescontractsbetweenmanandman，andfromcontractsgoesontolawsandconstitutions，inutterrecklessness，endingatlast，Socrates，byanoverthrowofallrights，privateaswellaspublic。
Isthattrue？Isaid。
Thatismybelief，hereplied。
Then，asIwassaying，ouryouthshouldbetrainedfromthefirstinastrictersystem，forifamusementsbecomelawless，andtheyouthsthemselvesbecomelawless，theycannevergrowupintowell—conductedandvirtuouscitizens。
Verytrue，hesaid。
Andwhentheyhavemadeagoodbeginninginplay，andbythehelpofmusichavegainedthehabitofgoodorder，thenthishabitoforder，inamannerhowunlikethelawlessplayoftheothers！willaccompanytheminalltheiractionsandbeaprincipleofgrowthtothem，andiftherebeanyfallenplacesaprincipleintheStatewillraisethemupagain。
Verytrue，hesaid。
Thuseducated，theywillinventforthemselvesanylesserruleswhichtheirpredecessorshavealtogetherneglected。
Whatdoyoumean？
Imeansuchthingsasthese：——whentheyoungaretobesilentbeforetheirelders；howtheyaretoshowrespecttothembystandingandmakingthemsit；whathonourisduetoparents；whatgarmentsorshoesaretobeworn；themodeofdressingthehair；
deportmentandmannersingeneral。Youwouldagreewithme？
Yes。
Butthereis，Ithink，smallwisdominlegislatingaboutsuchmatters，——Idoubtifitiseverdone；norareanyprecisewrittenenactmentsaboutthemlikelytobelasting。
Impossible。
Itwouldseem，Adeimantus，thatthedirectioninwhicheducationstartsaman，willdeterminehisfuturelife。Doesnotlikealwaysattractlike？
Tobesure。
Untilsomeonerareandgrandresultisreachedwhichmaybegood，andmaybethereverseofgood？
Thatisnottobedenied。
Andforthisreason，Isaid，Ishallnotattempttolegislatefurtheraboutthem。
Naturallyenough，hereplied。
Well，andaboutthebusinessoftheagora，dealingsandtheordinarydealingsbetweenmanandman，oragainaboutagreementswiththecommencementwithartisans；aboutinsultandinjury，ofthecommencementofactions，andtheappointmentofjuries，whatwouldyousay？theremayalsoarisequestionsaboutanyimpositionsandextractionsofmarketandharbourdueswhichmayberequired，andingeneralabouttheregulationsofmarkets，police，harbours，andthelike。But，ohheavens！shallwecondescendtolegislateonanyoftheseparticulars？
Ithink，hesaid，thatthereisnoneedtoimposelawsaboutthemongoodmen；whatregulationsarenecessarytheywillfindoutsoonenoughforthemselves。
Yes，Isaid，myfriend，ifGodwillonlypreservetothemthelawswhichwehavegiventhem。
Andwithoutdivinehelp，saidAdeimantus，theywillgoonforevermakingandmendingtheirlawsandtheirlivesinthehopeofattainingperfection。
Youwouldcomparethem，Isaid，tothoseinvalidswho，havingnoself—restraint，willnotleaveofftheirhabitsofintemperance？
Exactly。
Yes，Isaid；andwhatadelightfullifetheylead！theyarealwaysdoctoringandincreasingandcomplicatingtheirdisorders，andalwaysfancyingthattheywillbecuredbyanynostrumwhichanybodyadvisesthemtotry。
Suchcasesareverycommon，hesaid，withinvalidsofthissort。
Yes，Ireplied；andthecharmingthingisthattheydeemhimtheirworstenemywhotellsthemthetruth，whichissimplythat，unlesstheygiveupeatinganddrinkingandwenchingandidling，neitherdrugnorcauterynorspellnoramuletnoranyotherremedywillavail。
Charming！hereplied。Iseenothingcharmingingoingintoapassionwithamanwhotellsyouwhatisright。
Thesegentlemen，Isaid，donotseemtobeinyourgoodgraces。
Assuredlynot。
NorwouldyoupraisethebehaviourofStateswhichactlikethemenwhomIwasjustnowdescribing。Foraretherenotill—orderedStatesinwhichthecitizensareforbiddenunderpainofdeathtoaltertheconstitution；andyethewhomostsweetlycourtsthosewholiveunderthisregimeandindulgesthemandfawnsuponthemandisskilfulinanticipatingandgratifyingtheirhumoursisheldtobeagreatandgoodstatesman——donottheseStatesresemblethepersonswhomIwasdescribing？
Yes，hesaid；theStatesareasbadasthemen；andIamveryfarfrompraisingthem。
Butdoyounotadmire，Isaid，thecoolnessanddexterityofthesereadyministersofpoliticalcorruption？
Yes，hesaid，Ido；butnotofallofthem，fortherearesomewhomtheapplauseofthemultitudehasdeludedintothebeliefthattheyarereallystatesmen，andthesearenotmuchtobeadmired。
Whatdoyoumean？Isaid；youshouldhavemorefeelingforthem。
Whenamancannotmeasure，andagreatmanyotherswhocannotmeasuredeclarethatheisfourcubitshigh，canhehelpbelievingwhattheysay？
Nay，hesaid，certainlynotinthatcase。
Well，then，donotbeangrywiththem；foraretheynotasgoodasaplay，tryingtheirhandatpaltryreformssuchasIwasdescribing；
theyarealwaysfancyingthatbylegislationtheywillmakeanendoffraudsincontracts，andtheotherrascalitieswhichIwasmentioning，notknowingthattheyareinrealitycuttingofftheheadsofahydra？
Yes，hesaid；thatisjustwhattheyaredoing。
Iconceive，Isaid，thatthetruelegislatorwillnottroublehimselfwiththisclassofenactmentswhetherconcerninglawsortheconstitutioneitherinanill—orderedorinawell—orderedState；
forintheformertheyarequiteuseless，andinthelattertherewillbenodifficultyindevisingthem；andmanyofthemwillnaturallyflowoutofourpreviousregulations。
What，then，hesaid，isstillremainingtousoftheworkoflegislation？
Nothingtous，Ireplied；buttoApollo，theGodofDelphi，thereremainstheorderingofthegreatestandnoblestandchiefestthingsofall。
Whicharethey？hesaid。
Theinstitutionoftemplesandsacrifices，andtheentireserviceofgods，demigods，andheroes；alsotheorderingoftherepositoriesofthedead，andtheriteswhichhavetobeobservedbyhimwhowouldpropitiatetheinhabitantsoftheworldbelow。Thesearemattersofwhichweareignorantourselves，andasfoundersofacityweshouldbeunwiseintrustingthemtoanyinterpreterbutourancestraldeity。
Heisthegodwhositsinthecenter，onthenaveloftheearth，andheistheinterpreterofreligiontoallmankind。
Youareright，andwewilldoasyoupropose。
Butwhere，amidallthis，isjustice？sonofAriston，tellmewhere。
Nowthatourcityhasbeenmadehabitable，lightacandleandsearch，andgetyourbrotherandPolemarchusandtherestofourfriendstohelp，andletusseewhereinitwecandiscoverjusticeandwhereinjustice，andinwhattheydifferfromoneanother，andwhichofthemthemanwhowouldbehappyshouldhaveforhisportion，whetherseenorunseenbygodsandmen。
SOCRATES—GLAUCON
Nonsense，saidGlaucon：didyounotpromisetosearchyourself，sayingthatforyounottohelpjusticeinherneedwouldbeanimpiety？
IdonotdenythatIsaidso，andasyouremindme，Iwillbeasgoodasmyword；butyoumustjoin。
Wewill，hereplied。
Well，then，Ihopetomakethediscoveryinthisway：ImeantobeginwiththeassumptionthatourState，ifrightlyordered，isperfect。
Thatismostcertain。
Andbeingperfect，isthereforewiseandvaliantandtemperateandjust。
Thatislikewiseclear。
AndwhicheverofthesequalitieswefindintheState，theonewhichisnotfoundwillbetheresidue？
Verygood。
Iftherewerefourthings，andweweresearchingforoneofthem，whereveritmightbe，theonesoughtformightbeknowntousfromthefirst，andtherewouldbenofurthertrouble；orwemightknowtheotherthreefirst，andthenthefourthwouldclearlybetheoneleft。
Verytrue，hesaid。
Andisnotasimilarmethodtobepursuedaboutthevirtues，whicharealsofourinnumber？
Clearly。
FirstamongthevirtuesfoundintheState，wisdomcomesintoview，andinthisIdetectacertainpeculiarity。
Whatisthat？
TheStatewhichwehavebeendescribingissaidtobewiseasbeinggoodincounsel？
Verytrue。
Andgoodcounselisclearlyakindofknowledge，fornotbyignorance，butbyknowledge，domencounselwell？
Clearly。
AndthekindsofknowledgeinaStatearemanyanddiverse？
Ofcourse。
Thereistheknowledgeofthecarpenter；butisthatthesortofknowledgewhichgivesacitythetitleofwiseandgoodincounsel？
Certainlynot；thatwouldonlygiveacitythereputationofskillincarpentering。
Thenacityisnottobecalledwisebecausepossessingaknowledgewhichcounselsforthebestaboutwoodenimplements？
Certainlynot。
Norbyreasonofaknowledgewhichadvisesaboutbrazenpots，I
said，noraspossessinganyothersimilarknowledge？
Notbyreasonofanyofthem，hesaid。
Noryetbyreasonofaknowledgewhichcultivatestheearth；thatwouldgivethecitythenameofagricultural？
Yes。
Well，Isaid，andisthereanyknowledgeinourrecentlyfoundedStateamonganyofthecitizenswhichadvises，notaboutanyparticularthingintheState，butaboutthewhole，andconsidershowaStatecanbestdealwithitselfandwithotherStates？
Therecertainlyis。
Andwhatisknowledge，andamongwhomisitfound？Iasked。
Itistheknowledgeoftheguardians，hereplied，andfoundamongthosewhomwewerejustnowdescribingasperfectguardians。
Andwhatisthenamewhichthecityderivesfromthepossessionofthissortofknowledge？
Thenameofgoodincounselandtrulywise。
Andwilltherebeinourcitymoreofthesetrueguardiansormoresmiths？
Thesmiths，hereplied，willbefarmorenumerous。
Willnottheguardiansbethesmallestofalltheclasseswhoreceiveanamefromtheprofessionofsomekindofknowledge？
Muchthesmallest。
Andsobyreasonofthesmallestpartorclass，andoftheknowledgewhichresidesinthispresidingandrulingpartofitself，thewholeState，beingthusconstitutedaccordingtonature，willbewise；andthis，whichhastheonlyknowledgeworthytobecalledwisdom，hasbeenordainedbynaturetobeofallclassestheleast。
Mosttrue。
Thus，then，Isaid，thenatureandplaceintheStateofoneofthefourvirtueshassomehoworotherbeendiscovered。
And，inmyhumbleopinion，verysatisfactorilydiscovered，hereplied。
Again，Isaid，thereisnodifficultyinseeingthenatureofcourage；andinwhatpartthatqualityresideswhichgivesthenameofcourageoustotheState。
Howdoyoumean？
Why，Isaid，everyonewhocallsanyStatecourageousorcowardly，willbethinkingofthepartwhichfightsandgoesouttowarontheState’sbehalf。
Noone，hereplied，wouldeverthinkofanyother。
Certainlynot。
Therestofthecitizensmaybecourageousormaybecowardlybuttheircourageorcowardicewillnot，asIconceive，havetheeffectofmakingthecityeithertheoneortheother。
Thecitywillbecourageousinvirtueofaportionofherselfwhichpreservesunderallcircumstancesthatopinionaboutthenatureofthingstobefearedandnottobefearedinwhichourlegislatoreducatedthem；andthisiswhatyoutermcourage。
Ishouldliketohearwhatyouaresayingoncemore，forIdonotthinkthatIperfectlyunderstandyou。
Imeanthatcourageisakindofsalvation。
Salvationofwhat？
Oftheopinionrespectingthingstobefeared，whattheyareandofwhatnature，whichthelawimplantsthrougheducation；andImeanbythewords’underallcircumstances’tointimatethatinpleasureorinpain，orundertheinfluenceofdesireorfear，amanpreserves，anddoesnotlosethisopinion。ShallIgiveyouanillustration？
Ifyouplease。
Youknow，Isaid，thatdyers，whentheywanttodyewoolformakingthetruesea—purple，beginbyselectingtheirwhitecolourfirst；thistheyprepareanddresswithmuchcareandpains，inorderthatthewhitegroundmaytakethepurplehueinfullperfection。Thedyeingthenproceeds；andwhateverisdyedinthismannerbecomesafastcolour，andnowashingeitherwithlyesorwithoutthemcantakeawaythebloom。But，whenthegroundhasnotbeendulyprepared，youwillhavenoticedhowpooristhelookeitherofpurpleorofanyothercolour。
Yes，hesaid；Iknowthattheyhaveawashed—outandridiculousappearance。
Thennow，Isaid，youwillunderstandwhatourobjectwasinselectingoursoldiers，andeducatingtheminmusicandgymnastic；
wewerecontrivinginfluenceswhichwouldpreparethemtotakethedyeofthelawsinperfection，andthecolouroftheiropinionaboutdangersandofeveryotheropinionwastobeindeliblyfixedbytheirnurtureandtraining，nottobewashedawaybysuchpotentlyesaspleasure——mightieragentfarinwashingthesoulthananysodaorlye；orbysorrow，fear，anddesire，themightiestofallothersolvents。AndthissortofuniversalsavingpoweroftrueopinioninconformitywithlawaboutrealandfalsedangersIcallandmaintaintobecourage，unlessyoudisagree。
ButIagree，hereplied；forIsupposethatyoumeantoexcludemereuninstructedcourage，suchasthatofawildbeastorofaslave——this，inyouropinion，isnotthecouragewhichthelawordains，andoughttohaveanothername。
Mostcertainly。
ThenImayinfercouragetobesuchasyoudescribe？
Why，yes，saidI，youmay，andifyouaddthewords’ofacitizen，’youwillnotbefarwrong；——hereafter，ifyoulike，wewillcarrytheexaminationfurther，butatpresentwearewewseekingnotforcouragebutjustice；andforthepurposeofourenquirywehavesaidenough。
Youareright，hereplied。
TwovirtuesremaintobediscoveredintheState—firsttemperance，andthenjusticewhichistheendofoursearch。
Verytrue。
Now，canwefindjusticewithouttroublingourselvesabouttemperance？
Idonotknowhowthatcanbeaccomplished，hesaid，nordoIdesirethatjusticeshouldbebroughttolightandtemperancelostsightof；andthereforeIwishthatyouwoulddomethefavourofconsideringtemperancefirst。
Certainly，Ireplied，Ishouldnotbejustifiedinrefusingyourrequest。
Thenconsider，hesaid。
Yes，Ireplied；Iwill；andasfarasIcanatpresentsee，thevirtueoftemperancehasmoreofthenatureofharmonyandsymphonythanthepreceding。
Howso？heasked。
Temperance，Ireplied，istheorderingorcontrollingofcertainpleasuresanddesires；thisiscuriouslyenoughimpliedinthesayingof’amanbeinghisownmaster’andothertracesofthesamenotionmaybefoundinlanguage。
Nodoubt，hesaid。
Thereissomethingridiculousintheexpression’masterofhimself’；
forthemasterisalsotheservantandtheservantthemaster；andinallthesemodesofspeakingthesamepersonisdenoted。
Certainly。
Themeaningis，Ibelieve，thatinthehumansoulthereisabetterandalsoaworseprinciple；andwhenthebetterhastheworseundercontrol，thenamanissaidtobemasterofhimself；andthisisatermofpraise：butwhen，owingtoevileducationorassociation，thebetterprinciple，whichisalsothesmaller，isoverwhelmedbythegreatermassoftheworse——inthiscaseheisblamedandiscalledtheslaveofselfandunprincipled。
Yes，thereisreasoninthat。
Andnow，Isaid，lookatournewlycreatedState，andthereyouwillfindoneofthesetwoconditionsrealised；fortheState，asyouwillacknowledge，maybejustlycalledmasterofitself，ifthewords’temperance’and’self—mastery’trulyexpresstheruleofthebetterpartovertheworse。
Yes，hesaid，Iseethatwhatyousayistrue。
Letmefurthernotethatthemanifoldandcomplexpleasuresanddesiresandpainsaregenerallyfoundinchildrenandwomenandservants，andinthefreemensocalledwhoareofthelowestandmorenumerousclass。
Certainly，hesaid。
Whereasthesimpleandmoderatedesireswhichfollowreason，andareundertheguidanceofmindandtrueopinion，aretobefoundonlyinafew，andthosethebestbornandbesteducated。
Verytrue。Thesetwo，asyoumayperceive，haveaplaceinourState；andthemeanerdesiresofthearehelddownbythevirtuousdesiresandwisdomofthefew。
ThatIperceive，hesaid。
Theniftherebeanycitywhichmaybedescribedasmasterofitsownpleasuresanddesires，andmasterofitself，oursmayclaimsuchadesignation？
Certainly，hereplied。
Itmayalsobecalledtemperate，andforthesamereasons？
Yes。
AndiftherebeanyStateinwhichrulersandsubjectswillbeagreedastothequestionwhoaretorule，thatagainwillbeourState？
Undoubtedly。
Andthecitizensbeingthusagreedamongthemselves，inwhichclasswilltemperancebefound——intherulersorinthesubjects？
Inboth，asIshouldimagine，hereplied。
Doyouobservethatwewerenotfarwronginourguessthattemperancewasasortofharmony？
Whyso？
Why，becausetemperanceisunlikecourageandwisdom，eachofwhichresidesinapartonly，theonemakingtheStatewiseandtheothervaliant；notsotemperance，whichextendstothewhole，andrunsthroughallthenotesofthescale，andproducesaharmonyoftheweakerandthestrongerandthemiddleclass，whetheryousupposethemtobestrongerorweakerinwisdomorpowerornumbersorwealth，oranythingelse。Mosttrulythenmaywedeemtemperancetobetheagreementofthenaturallysuperiorandinferior，astotherighttoruleofeither，bothinstatesandindividuals。
Ientirelyagreewithyou。
Andso，Isaid，wemayconsiderthreeoutofthefourvirtuestohavebeendiscoveredinourState。Thelastofthosequalitieswhichmakeastatevirtuousmustbejustice，ifweonlyknewwhatthatwas。
Theinferenceisobvious。
Thetimethenhasarrived，Glaucon，when，likehuntsmen，weshouldsurroundthecover，andlooksharpthatjusticedoesnotstealaway，andpassoutofsightandescapeus；forbeyondadoubtsheissomewhereinthiscountry：watchthereforeandstrivetocatchasightofher，andifyouseeherfirst，letmeknow。