[135b]
it will be overtaken by failure?Alcibiades
It must.Socrates
Then it is not despotic power, my admirable Alcibiades, that you ought to secure either to yourself or to the state, if you would be happy, but virtue.Alcibiades
That is true.Socrates
And before getting virtue, to be governed by a superior is better than to govern, for a man as well as a child.Alcibiades
Apparently.Socrates
And the better is also nobler?Alcibiades
Yes.Socrates
And the nobler more becoming?Alcibiades
Of course.
It must.Socrates
Then it is not despotic power, my admirable Alcibiades, that you ought to secure either to yourself or to the state, if you would be happy, but virtue.Alcibiades
That is true.Socrates
And before getting virtue, to be governed by a superior is better than to govern, for a man as well as a child.Alcibiades
Apparently.Socrates
And the better is also nobler?Alcibiades
Yes.Socrates
And the nobler more becoming?Alcibiades
Of course.