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Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. We certainly cannot deny it.
5
Stranger
Str. Have we not, then, found just what we had in view in the beginning, that important parts of virtue are by nature at variance with one another and also that the persons who possess them exhibit the same opposition?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, I suppose that is true.
Stranger
Str. Let us then take up another question.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. What question?
Stranger
Str. Whether any constructive science voluntarily composes any, even the most worthless, of its works out of good and bad materials, or every science invariably rejects the bad, so far as possible, taking only the materials which are good and fitting, out of which, whether they be like or unlike, it gathers all elements together and produces one form or value.
10
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. The latter, of course.
Stranger
Str. Then neither will the true natural art of statecraft ever voluntarily compose a state of good and bad men; but obviously it will first test them in play, and after the test will entrust them in turn to those who are able to teach and help them to attain the end in view; it will itself give orders and exercise supervision, just as the art of weaving constantly commands and supervises the carders and others who prepare the materials for its web, directing each person to do the tasks which it thinks are requisite for its fabric.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Certainly.
