709
Athenian
Ath. That God controls all that is, and that Chance and Occasion co-operate with God in the control of all human affairs. It is, however, less harsh to admit that these two must be accompanied by a third factor, which is Art. For that the pilots’ art should cooperate with Occasion—verily I, for one, should esteem that a great advantage. Is it not so?
Athenian
Ath. Then we must grant that this is equally true in the other cases also, by parity of reasoning, including the case of legislation. When all the other conditions are present which a country needs to possess in the way of fortune if it is ever to be happily settled, then every such State needs to meet with a lawgiver who holds fast to truth.
5
Athenian
Ath. Would not, then, the man who possessed art in regard to each of the crafts mentioned be able to pray aright for that condition which, if it were given by Chance, would need only the supplement of his own art?
Athenian
Ath. And if all the other craftsmen mentioned just now were bidden to state the object of their prayers, they could do so, could they not?
Clinias
Clin. Of course.
10
Athenian
Ath. And the lawgiver, I suppose, could do likewise?
Clinias
Clin. I suppose so.
Athenian
Ath. Come now, O lawgiver, let us say to him, what are we to give you, and what condition of State, to enable you, when you receive it, thence-forward to manage the State by yourself satisfactorily?
Clinias
Clin. What is the next thing that can rightly be said?
Athenian
Ath. You mean, do you not, on the side of the lawgiver?
15