858
Athenian
Ath. We have in our States not only the writings and written speeches of many other people, but also the writings and speeches of the lawgiver.
5
Athenian
Ath. Are we, then, to pay attention to the compositions of the others— poets, and all who, either with or without meter, have composed and put on record their counsels concerning life,—but to pay no attention to those of the lawgivers? Or should we not attend to them above all others?
Clinias
Clin. Yes, far above all.
Athenian
Ath. But we surely do not mean that the lawgiver alone of all the writers is not to give counsel about what is noble, good and just, teaching what these are, and how those who intend to be happy must practice them.
Clinias
Clin. Of course he must do so.
10
Athenian
Ath. Well then, is it more disgraceful on the part of Homer and Tyrtaeus and the rest of the poets to lay down in their writings bad rules about life and its pursuits, and less disgraceful on the part of Lycurgus and Solon and all the legislators who have written?