Kitap 1
627
Clin. Very true, Stranger.
627
Meg. And finely spoken, too, up to this point, as I agree.
627
Ath. Let us also look at this point: the brothers we have just described would have, I suppose, a judge?
627
Clin. Certainly.
627
Ath. Which of the two would be the better—a judge who destroyed all the wicked among them and charged the good to govern themselves, or one who made the good members govern and, while allowing the bad to live, made them submit willingly to be governed?
628
Ath.And there is a third judge we must mention (third and best in point of merit),—if indeed such a judge can be found,— who in dealing with a single divided family will destroy none of them but reconcile them and succeed, by enacting laws for them, in securing amongst them thenceforward permanent friendliness.
628
Clin. A judge and lawgiver of that kind would be by far the best.
628
Ath. But mark this: his aim, in the laws he enacted for them, would be the opposite of war.
628
Clin. That is true.
628
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.
628
Clin. Evidently he would have regard to civil war.
628
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?
628
Clin. Everyone would prefer the latter alternative for his own State rather than the former.
628
Ath. And would not the lawgiver do the same?
628
Clin. Of course.
628
Ath. Would not every lawgiver in all his legislation aim at the highest good?
628
Clin. Assuredly.
