648
Athenian
Ath. There is none. Supposing, however, that there had been one, would it have been of any service to the lawgiver for promoting courage? For instance, we might quite well have addressed him concerning it in this wise: Come now, O lawgiver,—whether it be Cretans you are legislating for or anyone else, would not your first desire be to have a test of courage and of cowardice which you might apply to your citizens?
Clinias
Clin. Obviously everyone of them would say Yes.
Athenian
Ath. And would you desire a test that was safe and free from serious risks, or the reverse?
5
Clinias
Clin. All will agree, also, that the test must be safe.
Athenian
Ath. And would you utilize the test by bringing men into these fears and proving them while thus affected, so as to compel them to become fearless; employing exhortations admonitions and rewards,— but degradation for all those that refused to conform wholly to the character you prescribed? And would you acquit without penalty everyone who had trained himself manfully and well, but impose a penalty on everyone who had done so badly? Or would you totally refuse to employ the potion as a test, although you have no objection to it on other grounds?
Clinias
Clin. Of course he would employ it, Stranger.