But that these tales are mere calumny (continues Sokrates), and that Minos was truly a good lawgiver, and a good shepherd ([Greek: nomeu\s a)gatho/s]) of his people--we have proof through the fact, that his laws still remain unchanged: which shows that he has really found out truth and reality respecting the administration of a city.[28] _Comp._--Your view seems plausible, Sokrates. _Sokr._--If I am right, then, you think that the Kretans have more ancient laws than any other Greeks? and that Minos and Rhadamanthus are the best of all ancient lawgivers, rulers, and shepherds of mankind? _Comp._--I think they are. [Footnote 28: Plato, Minos, 321 B. [Greek: tou=to me/giston sêmei=on, o(/ti a)ki/nêtoi au)tou= oi( no/moi ei)si/n, a)/te tou= o)/ntos peri\ po/leôs oi)kê/seôs e)xeuro/ntos eu)= tê\n a)lê/theian.]] [Side-note: The question is made more determinate--What is it that the good lawgiver prescribes and measures out for the health of the mind, as the physician measures out food and exercise for the body? Sokrates cannot tell. Close.] _Sokr._--Now take the case of the good lawgiver and good shepherd for the body--If we were asked, what it is that he prescribes for the body, so as to render it better? we should answer, at once, briefly, and well, by saying--food and labour: the former to sustain the body, the latter to exercise and consolidate it. _Comp._--Quite correct. _Sokr._--And if after that we were asked, What are those things which the good lawgiver prescribes for the mind to make it better, what should we say, so as to avoid discrediting ourselves? _Comp._--I really cannot tell. _Sokr._--But surely it is discreditable enough both for your mind and mine--to confess, that we do not know upon what it is that good and evil for our minds depends, while we can define upon what it is that the good or evil of our bodies depends?[29] [Footnote 29: Plato, Minos, 321 C-B.] * * * * * [Side-note: The Hipparchus and Minos are analogous to each other, and both of them inferior works of Plato, perhaps unfinished.]