300–301
Stranger
Str. And yet we said, if we remember, that the man of knowledge, the real statesman, would by his art make many changes in his practice without regard to his writings, when he thought another course was better though it violated the rules he had written and sent to his absent subjects. See 295 E.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, we did say that.
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Stranger
Str. But is it not true that any man or any number of men whatsoever who have written laws, if they undertake to make any change in those laws, thinking it is all improvement, are doing, to the best of their ability, the same thing which our true statesman does?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Certainly.
Stranger
Str. If, then, they were to do this without science, however, imitate badly in every case; but if they were scientific, then it would no longer be imitation, but the actual perfect reality of which we spoke?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, assuredly.
Stranger
Str. And yet we agreed definitely a while ago that no multitude is able to acquire any art whatsoever.
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Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, that is definitely agreed.
Stranger
Str. Then if there is a kingly See 292 E. art, neither the collective body of the wealthy nor the whole people could ever acquire this science of statesmanship.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. No; certainly not.
Stranger
Str. Such states, then, it seems, if they are to imitate well, so far as possible, that true form of government— by a single ruler who rules with science—must never do anything in contravention of their existing written laws and ancestral customs.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. You are quite right.
