663
Athenian
Ath. Undoubtedly, then, the unjust life is not only more base and ignoble, but also in very truth more unpleasant, than the just and holy life.
Clinias
Clin. It would seem so, my friends, from our present argument.
Athenian
Ath. And even if the state of the case were different from what it has now been proved to be by our argument, could a lawgiver who was worth his salt find any more useful fiction than this (if he dared to use any fiction at all in addressing the youths for their good), or one more effective in persuading all men to act justly in all things willingly and without constraint?
Clinias
Clin. Truth is a noble thing, Stranger, and an enduring; yet to persuade men of it seems no easy matter.
10
Athenian
Ath. Be it so; yet it proved easy to persuade men of the Sidonian fairy-tale, About Cadmus; cp. Plat. Rep. 414c. incredible though it was, and of numberless others.
Clinias
Clin. What tales?