STRANGER: But what, if while compelling all these the next best thing in legislating is not to allow ei-operations to be regulated by written law, we were ther the individual or the multitude to break the to appoint as the guardian of the laws some one law in any respect whatever.
elected by a show of hands, or by lot, and he caring nothing about the laws, were to act contrary to them YOUNG SOCRATES: True.
from motives of interest or favour, and without knowledge,—would not this be a still worse evil than STRANGER: The laws would be copies of the true the former?
particulars of action as far as they admit of being written down from the lips of those who have knowl-YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true.
edge?
STRANGER: To go against the laws, which are based YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly they would.
upon long experience, and the wisdom of counsel-lors who have graciously recommended them and STRANGER: And, as we were saying, he who has persuaded the multitude to pass them, would be a knowledge and is a true Statesman, will do many far greater and more ruinous error than any adher-things within his own sphere of action by his art ence to written law?
without regard to the laws, when he is of opinion that something other than that which he has writ-YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly.
ten down and enjoined to be observed during his absence would be better.
STRANGER: Therefore, as there is a danger of this, 121
Statesman
YOUNG SOCRATES: Yes, we said so.
YOUNG SOCRATES: Yes, it has.
STRANGER: And any individual or any number of STRANGER: Then the royal or political art, if there men, having fixed laws, in acting contrary to them be such an art, will never be attained either by the with a view to something better, would only be act-wealthy or by the other mob.
ing, as far as they are able, like the true Statesman?
YOUNG SOCRATES: Impossible.
YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly.
STRANGER: Then the nearest approach which STRANGER: If they had no knowledge of what they these lower forms of government can ever make to were doing, they would imitate the truth, and they the true government of the one scientific ruler, is to would always imitate ill; but if they had knowledge, do nothing contrary to their own written laws and the imitation would be the perfect truth, and an national customs.
imitation no longer.
YOUNG SOCRATES: Very good.
YOUNG SOCRATES: Quite true.
STRANGER: When the rich imitate the true form, STRANGER: And the principle that no great num-such a government is called aristocracy; and when ber of men are able to acquire a knowledge of any they are regardless of the laws, oligarchy.
art has been already admitted by us.
YOUNG SOCRATES: True.