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Stranger
Str. You got ahead of me a little with your question, Socrates; for I was just going to ask whether you accepted all I have said, or were displeased with anything. But now it is clear that we shall have to discuss the question of the propriety of government without laws.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Of course we shall.
Stranger
Str. In a sense, however, it is clear that law-making belongs to the science of kingship; but the best thing is not that the laws be in power, but that the man who is wise and of kingly nature be ruler. Do you see why?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Why is it?
Stranger
Str. Because law could never, by determining exactly what is noblest and must just for one and all, enjoin upon them that which is best; for the differences of men and of actions and the fact that nothing, I may say, in human life is ever at rest, forbid any science whatsoever to promulgate any simple rule for everything and for all time. We agree to that, I suppose?
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Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, of course.
Stranger
Str. But we see that law aims at pretty nearly this very thing, like a stubborn and ignorant man who allows no one to do anything contrary to his command, or even to ask a question, not even if something new occurs to some one, which is better than the rule he has himself ordained.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. True; the law treats each and all of us exactly as you describe.
Stranger
Str. So that which is persistently simple is inapplicable to things which are never simple?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. I suppose so.
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