769–770
Athenian
Ath. Suppose then that a man knew of a device indicating the way in which he could teach another man by deed and word to understand in a greater or less degree how he should conserve or amend laws, surely he would never cease declaring it until he had accomplished his purpose.
Clinias
Clin. He certainly would not.
Athenian
Ath. Must not we three act thus on the present occasion?
Clinias
Clin. What is it you mean?
Athenian
Ath. We are about to make laws, and Law-wardens have been appointed by us; therefore, since we are in the evening of life, while those compared to us are youthful, we should not only legislate, as we say, ourselves, but also make legislators, as well as Law-wardens, of these very same men, so far as we can.
Clinias
Clin. We should,—if, that is to say, we are capable of so doing.
5
Athenian
Ath. At any rate we must try, and try hard.
Clinias
Clin. By all means.