299–300
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Clearly all the arts would be utterly ruined, nor could they ever rise again, through the operation of the law prohibiting investigation; and so life, which is hard enough now, would then become absolutely unendurable.
Stranger
Str. Here is a further point. If we ordained that each of the aforesaid arts must be carried on by written rules and that the observance of our written rules be under the charge of the man who is elected or chosen by lot, but he should disregard the written rules and for the sake of some gain or to do a favor to some one should try to act contrary to them, without possessing any knowledge, would not this be a greater evil than the former?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Most assuredly.
Stranger
Str. Since the laws are made after long experience and after commissioners of some kind have carefully considered each detail with delicate skill and have persuaded the people to pass them, anyone, I fancy, who ventured to violate them would be involved in error many times greater than the first, and would cause even greater ruin than the written laws to all kinds of transactions.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Of course he would.
Stranger
Str. Therefore the next best course for those who make laws or written rules about anything whatsoever is to prohibit any violation of them whatsoever, either by one person or by a greater number.
5
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Right.
Stranger
Str. These laws, then, written by men who know in so far as knowledge is possible, are imitations in each instance of some part of truth?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Of course.
