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Soc. But whatever do you mean by being able to rule over men who make use of men?
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Alc. I mean ruling over men in the city who share in it as fellow-citizens, and do business with each other.
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Soc. Well, what art is this? Suppose I should ask you over again, as I did just now, what art makes men know how to rule over fellow-sailors?
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Alc. The pilot’s.
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Soc. And what knowledge—to repeat what was said a moment ago—makes them rule over their fellow-singers?
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Alc. That which you just mentioned, the chorus-teacher’s.
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Soc. Well now, what do you call the knowledge of one’s fellow-citizens?
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Alc. Good counsel, I should say, Socrates.
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Soc. Well, and is the pilot’s knowledge evil counsel?
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Alc. No, no.
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Soc. Rather good counsel?
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Alc. So I should think, for the preservation of his passengers.
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Soc. Quite right. And now, for what is the good counsel of which you speak?
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Alc. For the better management and preservation of the city.
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Soc. And what is it that becomes present or absent when we get this better management and preservation? If, for example, you should ask me, What is it that becomes present or absent when the body is better managed and preserved?—I should reply, Health becomes present, and disease absent. Do not you think so too?
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Alc. Yes.
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Soc. And if, again, you asked me, What becomes present in a better condition of the eyes?—I should answer in just the same way, Sight becomes present, and blindness absent. So, in the case of the ears, deafness is caused to be absent, and hearing to be present, when they are improved and getting better treatment.
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Alc. Correct.
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Soc. Well then, what is it that becomes present or absent when a state is improved and has better treatment and management?
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Alc. To my mind, Socrates, friendship with one another will be there, while hatred and faction will be absent.
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Soc. Now, by friendship do you mean agreement or disagreement?
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Alc. Agreement.
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Soc. And what art is it that causes states to agree about numbers?
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Alc. Arithmetic.