Book 4
2.37
Then do you suppose it possible to know popular government without knowing the people?Indeed I don’t.And do you know, then, what the people consists of?I think so.Of what do you suppose it to consist?The poorer classes, I presume.You know the poor, then?Of course I do.And you know the rich too?Yes, just as well as the poor.What kind of men do you call poor and rich respectively?The poor, I imagine, are those who have not enough to pay for what they want; the rich those who have more than enough.
2.38
Have you observed, then, that some who have very little not only find it enough, but even manage to save out of it, whereas others cannot live within their means, however large?Yes, certainly — thanks for reminding me — I know, in fact, of some despots even who are driven to crime by poverty, just like paupers.
2.39
Therefore, if that is so, we will include despots in the people, and men of small means, if they are thrifty, in the rich.I am forced to agree once more, cried Euthydemus, evidently by my stupidity. I am inclined to think I had better hold my tongue, or I shall know nothing at all presently. And so he went away very dejected, disgusted with himself and convinced that he was indeed a slave.
