Kitap 6
769
Ath. Well then, do you not think that the purpose of the lawgiver is similar? He purposes, first, to write down the laws, so far as he can, with complete precision; next, when in the course of time he puts his decrees to the test of practice, you cannot suppose that any lawgiver will be so foolish as not to perceive that very many things must necessarily be left over, which it will be the duty of some successor to make right, in order that the constitution and the system of the State he has organized may always grow better, and never in any way worse.Cp.Polit. 298a ff.
769
Clin. This, of course, is what everyone naturally desires.
769
Ath. Suppose then that a man knew of a device indicating the way in which he could teach another man by deed and word to understand in a greater or less degree how he should conserve or amend laws, surely he would never cease declaring it until he had accomplished his purpose.
770
Clin. He certainly would not.
770
Ath. Must not we three act thus on the present occasion?
770
Clin. What is it you mean?
770
Ath. We are about to make laws, and Law-wardens have been appointed by us; therefore, since we are in the evening of life, while those compared to us are youthful, we should not only legislate, as we say, ourselves, but also make legislators, as well as Law-wardens, of these very same men, so far as we can.
770
Clin. We should,—if, that is to say, we are capable of so doing.
770
Ath. At any rate we must try, and try hard.
770
Clin. By all means.
