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Stranger
Str. By this example: If anyone, though himself in private station, is able to advise one of the public physicians, must not his art be called by the same name as that of the man whom he advises?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes.
Stranger
Str. Well, then, if a man who is himself in private station is wise enough to advise him who is king of a country, shall we not say that he has the science which the ruler himself ought to possess?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. We shall.
Stranger
Str. But certainly the science of a true king is kingly science?
5
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes.
Stranger
Str. And will not he who possesses this science, whether he happen to be a ruler or a private citizen, rightly be called kingly, when considered purely with reference to his art?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. At least he has a right to be.
Stranger
Str. And surely the householder and the master of a family are the same.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, of course.
10
Stranger
Str. Well, so far as government is concerned, is there any difference between the grandeur of a large house and the majesty of a small state?
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. No.
Stranger
Str. Then as for the point we were just discussing, it is clear that all these are the objects of one science, and whether a man calls this the art of kingship or statesmanship or householding, let us not quarrel with him.
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. By no means.
Stranger
Str. But this is plain, that any king can do little with his hands or his whole body toward holding his position, compared with what he can do with the sagacity and strength of his soul.
15
Younger Socrates
Y. Soc. Yes, that is plain.
