Justice -- Early works to 1800; Political science -- Early works to 1800; Utopias -- Early works to 1800
[Sidenote: and similarly the just man does not exceed the limits of other
just men.]
*350C* And you also said that the just will not go beyond his like but his
unlike? {30}
Yes.
Then the just is like the wise and good, and the unjust like the evil and
ignorant?
That is the inference.
And each of them is such as his like is?
That was admitted.
Then the just has turned out to be wise and good and the unjust evil and
ignorant.
[Sidenote: Thrasymachus perspiring and even blushing.]
Thrasymachus made all these admissions, not fluently, as *350D* I repeat
them, but with extreme reluctance; it was a hot summer's day, and the
perspiration poured from him in torrents; and then I saw what I had never
seen before, Thrasymachus blushing. As we were now agreed that justice was
virtue and wisdom, and injustice vice and ignorance, I proceeded to
another point:
Well, I said, Thrasymachus, that matter is now settled; but were we not
also saying that injustice had strength; do you remember?
Yes, I remember, he said, but do not suppose that I approve of what you
are saying or have no answer; if however I were to answer, you would be
quite certain to accuse me of haranguing; *350E* therefore either permit
me to have my say out, or if you would rather ask, do so, and I will
answer 'Very good,' as they say to story-telling old women, and will nod
'Yes' and 'No.'
Certainly not, I said, if contrary to your real opinion.
Yes, he said, I will, to please you, since you will not let me speak. What
else would you have?
Nothing in the world, I said; and if you are so disposed I will ask and
you shall answer.
Proceed.
Then I will repeat the question which I asked before, in *351A* order that
our examination of the relative nature of justice and injustice may be
carried on regularly. A statement was made that injustice is stronger and
more powerful than justice, but now justice, having been identified with
wisdom and virtue, is easily shown to be stronger than injustice, if
injustice is ignorance; this can no longer be questioned by any one. But
I want to view the matter, Thrasymachus, in a different way: *351B* You
would not deny that a state may be {31} unjust and may be unjustly
attempting to enslave other states, or may have already enslaved them, and
may be holding many of them in subjection?
True, he replied; and I will add that the best and most perfectly unjust
state will be most likely to do so.
I know, I said, that such was your position; but what I would further
consider is, whether this power which is possessed by the superior state
can exist or be exercised without justice or only with justice.
[Sidenote: At this point the temper of Thrasymachus begins to improve. Cp.
5. 450 A, 6. 498 C.]
*351C* If you are right in your view, and justice is wisdom, then only
with justice; but if I am right, then without justice.
I am delighted, Thrasymachus, to see you not only nodding assent and
dissent, but making answers which are quite excellent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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