305–306
Stranger
Str. But the art which holds sway over them all and watches over the laws and all things in the state, weaving them all most perfectly together, we may, I think, by giving to its function a designation which indicates its power over the community, with full propriety call statecraft.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Most assuredly.
Stranger
Str. Shall we then proceed to discuss it after the model supplied by weaving, See 287-290, 303-305. now that all the classes in the state have been made plain to us?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. By all means.
20
Stranger
Str. Then the kingly process of weaving must be described, its nature, the manner in which it combines the threads, and the kind of web it produces.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Evidently.
Stranger
Str. It has, apparently, become necessary, after all, to explain a difficult matter.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. But certainly the explanation must be made.
Stranger
Str. It is difficult, for the assertion that one part of virtue is in a way at variance with another sort of virtue may very easily be assailed by those who appeal to popular opinion in contentious arguments.
5
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. I do not understand.