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Theages
The. I should indeed pray, I imagine, that I might become a despot, if possible, over all men, and failing that, over as many as might be; so would you, I imagine, and everybody else besides: nay, even more, I daresay, that I might become a god; but I did not say I desired that.
Socrates
Soc. Well, what on earth then is it that you do desire? Do you not say you desire to govern the citizens?
Theages
The. Yes, but not by force, or as despots do, but with their consent, as is done by all the other men of importance in the state.
Socrates
Soc. Do you mean, as by Themistocles and Pericles and Cimon, and by all those who have shown themselves able statesmen?
Theages
The. Yes, in good earnest, I mean those people.
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Socrates
Soc. Then what if you chanced to desire to become wise in horsemanship? To whom would you have had to resort before expecting to be a clever horseman? To whom else but the horse-masters?
Theages
The. To none else, I am sure.
Socrates
Soc. And moreover, you would go to the actual men who are clever at the business, and who have horses and constantly use them in great numbers, both their own and other people’s?
Theages
The. Obviously I should.
Socrates
Soc. And what if you wished to become wise in javelin-throwing? Would you not expect to get this wisdom by having resorted to those javelin-masters who have javelins and who constantly use javelins, both other people’s and their own, in great numbers?
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