628
Athenian
Ath. But mark this: his aim, in the laws he enacted for them, would be the opposite of war.
Clinias
Clin. That is true.
Athenian
Ath. And what of him who brings the State into harmony? In ordering its life would he have regard to external warfare rather than to the internal war, whenever it occurs, which goes by the name of civil strife? For this is a war as to which it would be the desire of every man that, if possible, it should never occur in his own State, and that, if it did occur, it should come to as speedy an end as possible.
5
Clinias
Clin. Evidently he would have regard to civil war.
Athenian
Ath. And would anyone prefer that the citizens should be obliged to devote their attention to external enemies after internal concord had been secured by the destruction of one section and the victory of their opponents rather than after the establishment of friendship and peace by terms of conciliation?
Clinias
Clin. Everyone would prefer the latter alternative for his own State rather than the former.
Athenian
Ath. And would not the lawgiver do the same?
Clinias
Clin. Of course.
10
Athenian
Ath. Would not every lawgiver in all his legislation aim at the highest good?