294
Str. But we see that law aims at pretty nearly this very thing, like a stubborn and ignorant man who allows no one to do anything contrary to his command, or even to ask a question, not even if something new occurs to some one, which is better than the rule he has himself ordained.
294
Y. Soc. True; the law treats each and all of us exactly as you describe.
294
Str. So that which is persistently simple is inapplicable to things which are never simple?
294
Y. Soc. I suppose so.
294
Str. Why in the world, then, is it necessary to make laws, since law is not the most perfect right? We must ask the reason for this.
294
Y. Soc. Yes, of course.
294
Str. Well, there are here at Athens, as in other cities, classes for practice in athletics to prepare for contests in running or the like, are there not?
294
Y. Soc. Yes, a great many of them.
294
Str. Now let us recall to mind the orders given by the professional trainers when they are in charge of such classes.
294
Y. Soc. What do you mean?
294
Str. They think they cannot go into details in individual cases and order what is best for each person’s physique; they think they must employ a rougher method and give a general rule which will be good for the physique of the majority.
294
Y. Soc. Good.
294
Str. And therefore they nowadays assign equal exercise to whole classes; they make them begin at the same time and stop at the same time, whether they run or wrestle or practise any other kind of bodily exercise.
294
Y. Soc. That is true.
295
Str. And so we must believe that the law-maker who is to watch over the herds and maintain justice and the obligation of contracts, will never be able by making laws for all collectively, to provide exactly that which is proper for each individual.
295
Y. Soc. Probably not, at any rate.
295
Str. But he will, I fancy, legislate for the majority and in a general way only roughly for individuals, whether he issues written laws or his enactments follow the unwritten traditional customs.
295
Y. Soc. Quite right.
