AndhowamItodoso？heasked。
　　Why，Isaid，weknowthatallgermsorseeds，whethervegetableoranimal，whentheyfailtomeetwithpropernutrimentorclimateorsoil，inproportiontotheirvigour，areallthemoresensitivetothewantofasuitableenvironment，forevilisagreaterenemytowhatisgoodthanwhatisnot。
　　Verytrue。
　　Thereisreasoninsupposingthatthefinestnatures，whenunderalienconditions，receivemoreinjurythantheinferior，becausethecontrastisgreater。
　　Certainly。
　　Andmaywenotsay，Adeimantus，thatthemostgiftedminds，whentheyareill—educated，becomepre—eminentlybad？Donotgreatcrimesandthespiritofpureevilspringoutofafulnessofnatureruinedbyeducationratherthanfromanyinferiority，whereasweaknaturesarescarcelycapableofanyverygreatgoodorverygreatevil？
　　ThereIthinkthatyouareright。
　　Andourphilosopherfollowsthesameanalogy—heislikeaplantwhich，havingpropernurture，mustnecessarilygrowandmatureintoallvirtue，but，ifsownandplantedinanaliensoil，becomesthemostnoxiousofallweeds，unlesshebepreservedbysomedivinepower。Doyoureallythink，aspeoplesooftensay，thatouryoutharecorruptedbySophists，orthatprivateteachersoftheartcorrupttheminanydegreeworthspeakingof？ArenotthepublicwhosaythesethingsthegreatestofallSophists？Anddotheynoteducatetoperfectionyoungandold，menandwomenalike，andfashionthemaftertheirownhearts？
　　Whenisthisaccomplished？hesaid。
　　Whentheymeettogether，andtheworldsitsdownatanassembly，orinacourtoflaw，oratheatre，oracamp，orinanyotherpopularresort，andthereisagreatuproar，andtheypraisesomethingswhicharebeingsaidordone，andblameotherthings，equallyexaggeratingboth，shoutingandclappingtheirhands，andtheechooftherocksandtheplaceinwhichtheyareassembledredoublesthesoundofthepraiseorblame——atsuchatimewillnotayoungman’sheart，astheysay，leapwithinhim？Willanyprivatetrainingenablehimtostandfirmagainsttheoverwhelmingfloodofpopularopinion？orwillhebecarriedawaybythestream？Willhenothavethenotionsofgoodandevilwhichthepublicingeneralhave——hewilldoastheydo，andastheyare，suchwillhebe？
　　Yes，Socrates；necessitywillcompelhim。
　　Andyet，Isaid，thereisastillgreaternecessity，whichhasnotbeenmentioned。
　　Whatisthat？
　　Thegentleforceofattainderorconfiscationordeathwhich，asyouareaware，thesenewSophistsandeducatorswhoarethepublic，applywhentheirwordsarepowerless。
　　Indeedtheydo；andinrightgoodearnest。
　　NowwhatopinionofanyotherSophist，orofanyprivateperson，canbeexpectedtoovercomeinsuchanunequalcontest？
　　None，hereplied。
　　No，indeed，Isaid，eventomaketheattemptisagreatpieceoffolly；thereneitheris，norhasbeen，noriseverlikelytobe，anydifferenttypeofcharacterwhichhashadnoothertraininginvirtuebutthatwhichissuppliedbypublicopinion——Ispeak，myfriend，ofhumanvirtueonly；whatismorethanhuman，astheproverbsays，isnotincluded：forIwouldnothaveyouignorantthat，inthepresentevilstateofgovernments，whateverissavedandcomestogoodissavedbythepowerofGod，aswemaytrulysay。
　　Iquiteassent，hereplied。
　　Thenletmecraveyourassentalsotoafurtherobservation。
　　Whatareyougoingtosay？
　　Why，thatallthosemercenaryindividuals，whomthemanycallSophistsandwhomtheydeemtobetheiradversaries，do，infact，teachnothingbuttheopinionofthemany，thatistosay，theopinionsoftheirassemblies；andthisistheirwisdom。Imightcomparethemtoamanwhoshouldstudythetempersanddesiresofamightystrongbeastwhoisfedbyhim—hewouldlearnhowtoapproachandhandlehim，alsoatwhattimesandfromwhatcausesheisdangerousorthereverse，andwhatisthemeaningofhisseveralcries，andbywhatsounds，whenanotheruttersthem，heissoothedorinfuriated；andyoumaysupposefurther，thatwhen，bycontinuallyattendinguponhim，hehasbecomeperfectinallthis，hecallshisknowledgewisdom，andmakesofitasystemorart，whichheproceedstoteach，althoughhehasnorealnotionofwhathemeansbytheprinciplesorpassionsofwhichheisspeaking，butcallsthishonourableandthatdishonourable，orgoodorevil，orjustorunjust，allinaccordancewiththetastesandtempersofthegreatbrute。Goodhepronouncestobethatinwhichthebeastdelightsandeviltobethatwhichhedislikes；andhecangivenootheraccountofthemexceptthatthejustandnoblearethenecessary，havingneverhimselfseen，andhavingnopowerofexplainingtoothersthenatureofeither，orthedifferencebetweenthem，whichisimmense。Byheaven，wouldnotsuchanonebearareeducator？
　　Indeed，hewould。
　　Andinwhatwaydoeshewhothinksthatwisdomisthediscernmentofthetempersandtastesofthemotleymultitude，whetherinpaintingormusic，or，finally，inpolitics，differfromhimwhomIhavebeendescribingForwhenamanconsortswiththemany，andexhibitstothemhispoemorotherworkofartortheservicewhichhehasdonetheState，makingthemhisjudgeswhenheisnotobliged，theso—callednecessityofDiomedewillobligehimtoproducewhatevertheypraise。Andyetthereasonsareutterlyludicrouswhichtheygiveinconfirmationoftheirownnotionsaboutthehonourableandgood。Didyoueverhearanyofthemwhichwerenot？
　　No，noramIlikelytohear。
　　YourecognisethetruthofwhatIhavebeensaying？Thenletmeaskyoutoconsiderfurtherwhethertheworldwilleverbeinducedtobelieveintheexistenceofabsolutebeautyratherthanofthemanybeautiful，oroftheabsoluteineachkindratherthanofthemanyineachkind？
　　Certainlynot。
　　Thentheworldcannotpossiblybeaphilosopher？
　　Impossible。
　　Andthereforephilosophersmustinevitablyfallunderthecensureoftheworld？
　　Theymust。
　　Andofindividualswhoconsortwiththemobandseektopleasethem？
　　Thatisevident。
　　Then，doyouseeanywayinwhichthephilosophercanbepreservedinhiscallingtotheend？andrememberwhatweweresayingofhim，thathewastohavequicknessandmemoryandcourageandmagnificence——thesewereadmittedbyustobethetruephilosopher’sgifts。
　　Yes。
　　Willnotsuchanonefromhisearlychildhoodbeinallthingsfirstamongall，especiallyifhisbodilyendowmentsarelikehismentalones？
　　Certainly，hesaid。
　　Andhisfriendsandfellow—citizenswillwanttousehimashegetsolderfortheirownpurposes？
　　Noquestion。
　　Fallingathisfeet，theywillmakerequeststohimanddohimhonourandflatterhim，becausetheywanttogetintotheirhandsnow，thepowerwhichhewillonedaypossess。
　　Thatoftenhappens，hesaid。
　　Andwhatwillamansuchashebelikelytodoundersuchcircumstances，especiallyifhebeacitizenofagreatcity，richandnoble，andatallproperyouth？Willhenotbefullofboundlessaspirations，andfancyhimselfabletomanagetheaffairsofHellenesandofbarbarians，andhavinggotsuchnotionsintohisheadwillhenotdilateandelevatehimselfinthefulnessofvainpompandsenselesspride？
　　Tobesurehewill。
　　Now，whenheisinthisstateofmind，ifsomeonegentlycomestohimandtellshimthatheisafoolandmustgetunderstanding，whichcanonlybegotbyslavingforit，doyouthinkthat，undersuchadversecircumstances，hewillbeeasilyinducedtolisten？
　　Farotherwise。
　　Andeveniftherebesomeonewhothroughinherentgoodnessornaturalreasonablenesshashadhiseyesopenedalittleandishumbledandtakencaptivebyphilosophy，howwillhisfriendsbehavewhentheythinkthattheyarelikelytolosetheadvantagewhichtheywerehopingtoreapfromhiscompanionship？Willtheynotdoandsayanythingtopreventhimfromyieldingtohisbetternatureandtorenderhisteacherpowerless，usingtothisendprivateintriguesaswellaspublicprosecutions？
　　Therecanbenodoubtofit。
　　Andhowcanonewhoisthuscircumstancedeverbecomeaphilosopher？
　　Impossible。
　　Thenwerewenotrightinsayingthateventheveryqualitieswhichmakeamanaphilosophermay，ifhebeill—educated，diverthimfromphilosophy，nolessthanrichesandtheiraccompanimentsandtheotherso—calledgoodsoflife？
　　Wewerequiteright。
　　Thus，myexcellentfriend，isbroughtaboutallthatruinandfailurewhichIhavebeendescribingofthenaturesbestadaptedtothebestofallpursuits；theyarenatureswhichwemaintaintoberareatanytime；thisbeingtheclassoutofwhichcomethemenwhoaretheauthorsofthegreatesteviltoStatesandindividuals；andalsoofthegreatestgoodwhenthetidecarriestheminthatdirection；butasmallmanneverwasthedoerofanygreatthingeithertoindividualsortoStates。
　　Thatismosttrue，hesaid。
　　Andsophilosophyisleftdesolate，withhermarriageriteincomplete：forherownhavefallenawayandforsakenher，andwhiletheyareleadingafalseandunbecominglife，otherunworthypersons，seeingthatshehasnokinsmentobeherprotectors，enterinanddishonourher；andfastenuponherthereproacheswhich，asyousay，herreproversutter，whoaffirmofhervotariesthatsomearegoodfornothing，andthatthegreaternumberdeservetheseverestpunishment。
　　Thatiscertainlywhatpeoplesay。
　　Yes；andwhatelsewouldyouexpect，Isaid，whenyouthinkofthepunycreatureswho，seeingthislandopentothem——alandwellstockedwithfairnamesandshowytitles——likeprisonersrunningoutofprisonintoasanctuary，takealeapoutoftheirtradesintophilosophy；thosewhodosobeingprobablythecleveresthandsattheirownmiserablecrafts？For，althoughphilosophybeinthisevilcase，stillthereremainsadignityaboutherwhichisnottobefoundinthearts。Andmanyarethusattractedbyherwhosenaturesareimperfectandwhosesoulsaremaimedanddisfiguredbytheirmeannesses，astheirbodiesarebytheirtradesandcrafts。Isnotthisunavoidable？
　　Yes。
　　Aretheynotexactlylikeabaldlittletinkerwhohasjustgotoutofduranceandcomeintoafortune；hetakesabathandputsonanewcoat，andisdeckedoutasabridegroomgoingtomarryhismaster’sdaughter，whoisleftpooranddesolate？
　　Amostexactparallel。
　　Whatwillbetheissueofsuchmarriages？Willtheynotbevileandbastard？
　　Therecanbenoquestionofit。
　　Andwhenpersonswhoareunworthyofeducationapproachphilosophyandmakeanalliancewithherwhoisarankabovethemwhatsortofideasandopinionsarelikelytobegenerated？Willtheynotbesophismscaptivatingtotheear，havingnothinginthemgenuine，orworthyoforakintotruewisdom？
　　Nodoubt，hesaid。
　　Then，Adeimantus，Isaid，theworthydisciplesofphilosophywillbebutasmallremnant：perchancesomenobleandwell—educatedperson，detainedbyexileinherservice，whointheabsenceofcorruptinginfluencesremainsdevotedtoher；orsomeloftysoulborninameancity，thepoliticsofwhichhecontemnsandneglects；andtheremaybeagiftedfewwholeavethearts，whichtheyjustlydespise，andcometoher；——orperadventuretherearesomewhoarerestrainedbyourfriendTheages’bridle；foreverythinginthelifeofTheagesconspiredtodiverthimfromphilosophy；butill—healthkepthimawayfrompolitics。Myowncaseoftheinternalsignishardlyworthmentioning，forrarely，ifever，hassuchamonitorbeengiventoanyotherman。Thosewhobelongtothissmallclasshavetastedhowsweetandblessedapossessionphilosophyis，andhavealsoseenenoughofthemadnessofthemultitude；andtheyknowthatnopoliticianishonest，noristhereanychampionofjusticeatwhosesidetheymayfightandbesaved。Suchanonemaybecomparedtoamanwhohasfallenamongwildbeasts——hewillnotjoininthewickednessofhisfellows，butneitherisheablesinglytoresistalltheirfiercenatures，andthereforeseeingthathewouldbeofnousetotheStateortohisfriends，andreflectingthathewouldhavetothrowawayhislifewithoutdoinganygoodeithertohimselforothers，heholdshispeace，andgoeshisownway。Heislikeonewho，inthestormofdustandsleetwhichthedrivingwindhurriesalong，retiresundertheshelterofawall；andseeingtherestofmankindfullofwickedness，heiscontent，ifonlyhecanlivehisownlifeandbepurefromevilorunrighteousness，anddepartinpeaceandgood—will，withbrighthopes。
　　Yes，hesaid，andhewillhavedoneagreatworkbeforehedeparts。
　　Agreatwork——yes；butnotthegreatest，unlesshefindaStatesuitabletohim；forinaStatewhichissuitabletohim，hewillhavealargergrowthandbethesaviourofhiscountry，aswellasofhimself。
　　Thecauseswhyphilosophyisinsuchanevilnamehavenowbeensufficientlyexplained：theinjusticeofthechargesagainstherhasbeenshown—isthereanythingmorewhichyouwishtosay？
　　Nothingmoreonthatsubject，hereplied；butIshouldliketoknowwhichofthegovernmentsnowexistingisinyouropiniontheoneadaptedtoher。
　　Notanyofthem，Isaid；andthatispreciselytheaccusationwhichIbringagainstthem——notoneofthemisworthyofthephilosophicnature，andhencethatnatureiswarpedandestranged；
　　——astheexoticseedwhichissowninaforeignlandbecomesdenaturalized，andiswonttobeoverpoweredandtoloseitselfinthenewsoil，evensothisgrowthofphilosophy，insteadofpersisting，degeneratesandreceivesanothercharacter。ButifphilosophyeverfindsintheStatethatperfectionwhichsheherselfis，thenwillbeseenthatsheisintruthdivine，andthatallotherthings，whethernaturesofmenorinstitutions，arebuthuman；——andnow，I
　　knowthatyouaregoingtoask，whatthatStateis。
　　No，hesaid；thereyouarewrong，forIwasgoingtoaskanotherquestion——whetheritistheStateofwhich。wearethefoundersandinventors，orsomeother？
　　Yes，Ireplied，oursinmostrespects；butyoumayremembermysayingbefore，thatsomelivingauthoritywouldalwaysberequiredintheStatehavingthesameideaoftheconstitutionwhichguidedyouwhenaslegislatoryouwerelayingdownthelaws。
　　Thatwassaid，hereplied。
　　Yes，butnotinasatisfactorymanner；youfrightenedusbyinterposingobjections，whichcertainlyshowedthatthediscussionwouldbelonganddifficult；andwhatstillremainsisthereverseofeasy。
　　Whatisthereremaining？
　　ThequestionhowthestudyofphilosophymaybesoorderedasnottobetheruinoftheState：Allgreatattemptsareattendedwithrisk；
　　’hardisthegood，’asmensay。
　　Still，hesaid，letthepointbeclearedup，andtheenquirywillthenbecomplete。
　　Ishallnotbehindered，Isaid，byanywantofwill，but，ifatall，byawantofpower：myzealyoumayseeforyourselves；andpleasetoremarkinwhatIamabouttosayhowboldlyandunhesitatinglyIdeclarethatStatesshouldpursuephilosophy，notastheydonow，butinadifferentspirit。
　　Inwhatmanner？
　　Atpresent，Isaid，thestudentsofphilosophyarequiteyoung；
　　beginningwhentheyarehardlypastchildhood，theydevoteonlythetimesavedfrommoneymakingandhousekeepingtosuchpursuits；andeventhoseofthemwhoarereputedtohavemostofthephilosophicspirit，whentheycomewithinsightofthegreatdifficultyofthesubject，Imeandialectic，takethemselvesoff。Inafterlifewheninvitedbysomeoneelse，theymay，perhaps，goandhearalecture，andaboutthistheymakemuchado，forphilosophyisnotconsideredbythemtobetheirproperbusiness：atlast，whentheygrowold，inmostcasestheyareextinguishedmoretrulythanHeracleitus’sun，inasmuchastheyneverlightupagain。
　　Butwhatoughttobetheircourse？
　　Justtheopposite。Inchildhoodandyouththeirstudy，andwhatphilosophytheylearn，shouldbesuitedtotheirtenderyears：
　　duringthisperiodwhiletheyaregrowinguptowardsmanhood，thechiefandspecialcareshouldbegiventotheirbodiesthattheymayhavethemtouseintheserviceofphilosophy；aslifeadvancesandtheintellectbeginstomature，letthemincreasethegymnasticsofthesoul；butwhenthestrengthofourcitizensfailsandispastcivilandmilitaryduties，thenletthemrangeatwillandengageinnoseriouslabour，asweintendthemtolivehappilyhere，andtocrownthislifewithasimilarhappinessinanother。
　　Howtrulyinearnestyouare，Socrates！hesaid；Iamsureofthat；andyetmostofyourhearers，ifIamnotmistaken，arelikelytobestillmoreearnestintheiroppositiontoyou，andwillneverbeconvinced；Thrasymachusleastofall。
　　Donotmakeaquarrel，Isaid，betweenThrasymachusandme，whohaverecentlybecomefriends，although，indeed，wewereneverenemies；
　　forIshallgoonstrivingtotheutmostuntilIeitherconverthimandothermen，ordosomethingwhichmayprofitthemagainstthedaywhentheyliveagain，andholdthelikediscourseinanotherstateofexistence。
　　Youarespeakingofatimewhichisnotverynear。
　　Rather，Ireplied，ofatimewhichisasnothingincomparisonwitheternity。Nevertheless，Idonotwonderthatthemanyrefusetobelieve；fortheyhaveneverseenthatofwhichwearenowspeakingrealised；theyhaveseenonlyaconventionalimitationofphilosophy，consistingofwordsartificiallybroughttogether，notliketheseofourshavinganaturalunity。Butahumanbeingwhoinwordandworkisperfectlymoulded，asfarashecanbe，intotheproportionandlikenessofvirtue——suchamanrulinginacitywhichbearsthesameimage，theyhaveneveryetseen，neitheronenormanyofthem——doyouthinkthattheyeverdid？
　　Noindeed。
　　No，myfriend，andtheyhaveseldom，ifever，heardfreeandnoblesentiments；suchasmenutterwhentheyareearnestlyandbyeverymeansintheirpowerseekingaftertruthforthesakeofknowledge，whiletheylookcoldlyonthesubtletiesofcontroversy，ofwhichtheendisopinionandstrife，whethertheymeetwiththeminthecourtsoflaworinsociety。
　　Theyarestrangers，hesaid，tothewordsofwhichyouspeak。
　　Andthiswaswhatweforesaw，andthiswasthereasonwhytruthforcedustoadmit，notwithoutfearandhesitation，thatneithercitiesnorStatesnorindividualswilleverattainperfectionuntilthesmallclassofphilosopherswhomwetermeduselessbutnotcorruptareprovidentiallycompelled，whethertheywillornot，totakecareoftheState，anduntilalikenecessitybelaidontheStatetoobeythem；oruntilkings，orifnotkings，thesonsofkingsorprinces，aredivinelyinspired’dwithatrueloveoftruephilosophy。Thateitherorbothofthesealternativesareimpossible，Iseenoreasontoaffirm：iftheywereso，wemightindeedbejustlyridiculedasdreamersandvisionaries。AmInotright？
　　Quiteright。
　　Ifthen，inthecountlessagesofthepast，oratthepresenthourinsomeforeignclimewhichisfarawayandbeyondourken，theperfectedphilosopherisorhasbeenorhereaftershallbecompelledbyasuperiorpowertohavethechargeoftheState，wearereadytoasserttothedeath，thatthisourconstitutionhasbeen，andis——yea，andwillbewhenevertheMuseofPhilosophyisqueen。Thereisnoimpossibilityinallthis；thatthereisadifficulty，weacknowledgeourselves。
　　Myopinionagreeswithyours，hesaid。
　　Butdoyoumeantosaythatthisisnottheopinionofthemultitude？
　　Ishouldimaginenot，hereplied。
　　Omyfriend，Isaid，donotattackthemultitude：theywillchangetheirminds，if，notinanaggressivespirit，butgentlyandwiththeviewofsoothingthemandremovingtheirdislikeofover—education，youshowthemyourphilosophersastheyreallyareanddescribeasyouwerejustnowdoingtheircharacterandprofession，andthenmankindwillseethatheofwhomyouarespeakingisnotsuchastheysupposed——iftheyviewhiminthisnewlight，theywillsurelychangetheirnotionofhim，andanswerinanotherstrain。Whocanbeatenmitywithonewholovesthem，whothatishimselfgentleandfreefromenvywillbejealousofoneinwhomthereisnojealousy？Nay，letmeanswerforyou，thatinafewthisharshtempermaybefoundbutnotinthemajorityofmankind。
　　Iquiteagreewithyou，hesaid。
　　Anddoyounotalsothink，asIdo，thattheharshfeelingwhichthemanyentertaintowardsphilosophyoriginatesinthepretenders，whorushinuninvited，andarealwaysabusingthem，andfindingfaultwiththem，whomakepersonsinsteadofthingsthethemeoftheirconversation？andnothingcanbemoreunbecominginphilosophersthanthis。
　　Itismostunbecoming。
　　Forhe，Adeimantus，whosemindisfixedupontruebeing，hassurelynotimetolookdownupontheaffairsofearth，ortobefilledwithmaliceandenvy，contendingagainstmen；hiseyeiseverdirectedtowardsthingsfixedandimmutable，whichheseesneitherinjuringnorinjuredbyoneanother，butallinordermovingaccordingtoreason；
　　theseheimitates，andtothesehewill，asfarashecan，conformhimself。Canamanhelpimitatingthatwithwhichheholdsreverentialconverse？
　　Impossible。
　　Andthephilosopherholdingconversewiththedivineorder，becomesorderlyanddivine，asfarasthenatureofmanallows；butlikeeveryoneelse，hewillsufferfromdetraction。
　　Ofcourse。
　　Andifanecessitybelaiduponhimoffashioning，notonlyhimself，buthumannaturegenerally，whetherinStatesorindividuals，intothatwhichhebeholdselsewhere，willhe，thinkyou，beanunskilfulartificerofjustice，temperance，andeverycivilvirtue？
　　Anythingbutunskilful。
　　Andiftheworldperceivesthatwhatwearesayingabouthimisthetruth，willtheybeangrywithphilosophy？Willtheydisbelieveus，whenwetellthemthatnoStatecanbehappywhichisnotdesignedbyartistswhoimitatetheheavenlypattern？
　　Theywillnotbeangryiftheyunderstand，hesaid。Buthowwilltheydrawouttheplanofwhichyouarespeaking？
　　TheywillbeginbytakingtheStateandthemannersofmen，fromwhich，asfromatablet，theywillruboutthepicture，andleaveacleansurface。Thisisnoeasytask。Butwhethereasyornot，hereinwillliethedifferencebetweenthemandeveryotherlegislator，——theywillhavenothingtodoeitherwithindividualorState，andwillinscribenolaws，untiltheyhaveeitherfound，orthemselvesmade，acleansurface。
　　Theywillbeveryright，hesaid。
　　Havingeffectedthis，theywillproceedtotraceanoutlineoftheconstitution？
　　Nodoubt。
　　Andwhentheyarefillinginthework，asIconceive，theywilloftenturntheireyesupwardsanddownwards：Imeanthattheywillfirstlookatabsolutejusticeandbeautyandtemperance，andagainatthehumancopy；andwillmingleandtemperthevariouselementsoflifeintotheimageofaman；andthustheywillconceiveaccordingtothatotherimage，which，whenexistingamongmen，HomercallstheformandlikenessofGod。
　　Verytrue，hesaid。