Book 12
962
Ath. So now we shall understand that it is by no means surprising if the legal customs in States keep shifting, seeing that different parts of the codes in each State look in different directions. And, in general, it is not surprising that, with some statesmen, the aim of justice is to enable a certain class of people to rule in the State (whether they be really superior, or inferior), while with others the aim is how to acquire wealth (whether or not they be somebody’s slaves); and others again direct their efforts to winning a life of freedom. Still others make two objects at once the joint aim of their legislation,—namely, the gaining of freedom for themselves, and mastery over other States; while those who are the wisest of all, in their own conceit, aim not at one only, but at the sum total of these and the like objects, since they are unable to specify any one object of preeminent value towards which they would desire all else to be directed.
963
Clin. Then, Stranger, was not the view we stated long ago the right one? We saidCp. Plat. Laws 630e ff. that all our laws must always aim at one single object, which, as we agreed, is quite rightly named virtue.
963
Ath. Yes.
963
Clin. And we stated that virtue consists of four things.
963
Ath. Certainly.
963
Clin. And that the chief of all the four is reason,Cp. Plat. Laws 631c ff.: reason (or wisdom) as the most divine stands first, the others being temperance, justice and courage. at which the other three, as well as everything else, should aim.
