134–135
Socrates
Soc. Hence it is not licence or authority for doing what one pleases that you have to secure to yourself or the state, but justice and temperance.
Alcibiades
Alc. Apparently.
Socrates
Soc. For you and the state, if you act justly and temperately, will act so as to please God.
Alcibiades
Alc. Naturally.
Socrates
Soc. And, as we were saying in what went before, you will act with your eyes turned on what is divine and bright.
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Alcibiades
Alc. Apparently.
Socrates
Soc. Well, and looking thereon you will behold and know both yourselves and your good.
Socrates
Soc. And so you will act aright and well?
Socrates
Soc. Well now, if you act in this way, I am ready to warrant that you must be happy.
Alcibiades
Alc. And I can rely on your warranty.
Socrates
Soc. But if you act unjustly, with your eyes on the godless and dark, the probability is that your acts will resemble these through your ignorance of yourselves.
Alcibiades
Alc. That is probable.
Socrates
Soc. For if a man, my dear Alcibiades, is at liberty to do what he pleases, but is lacking in mind, what is the probable result to him personally, or to the state as well? For instance, if he is sick and at liberty to do what he pleases—without a medical mind, but with a despot’s power which prevents anyone from even reproving him—what will be the result? Will not his health, in all likelihood, be shattered?
Alcibiades
Alc. That is true.
Socrates
Soc. Again, in a ship, if a man were at liberty to do what he chose, but were devoid of mind and excellence in navigation, do you perceive what must happen to him and his fellow-sailors?
Alcibiades
Alc. I do: they must all perish.
