966
Athenian
Ath. Very well then; do we hold the same view about the fair and the good? Ought our wardens to know only that each of these is a plurality, or ought they also to know how and wherein they are each a unity?
Clinias
Clin. It is fairly obvious that they must necessarily also discern how these are a unity.
Athenian
Ath. Well then, ought they to discern it, but be unable to give a verbal demonstration of it?
5
Clinias
Clin. Impossible! The state of mind you describe is that of a slave.
Athenian
Ath. Well then, do we hold the same view about all forms of goodness, that those who are to be real wardens of the laws must really know the true nature of them, and be capable both of expounding it in word and conforming to it in deed, passing judgment on fair actions and foul according to their real character?
Athenian
Ath. And is not one of the fairest things the doctrine about the gods, which we expounded earnestly,In Book X.—to know both that they exist, and what power they manifestly possess, so far as a man is capable of learning these matters; so that while one should pardon the mass of the citizens if they merely follow the letter of the law, one must exclude from office those who are eligible for wardenship, unless they labor to grasp all the proofs there are about the existence of gods? Such exclusion from office consists in refusing ever to choose as a Law-warden, or to number among those approved for excellence, a man who is not divine himself, nor has spent any labor over things divine.