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[346e] when he works for nothing?” “I'll say he does.” “Then, Thrasymachus, is not this immediately apparent, that no art or office provides what is beneficial for itself—but as we said long ago it provides and enjoins what is beneficial to its subject, considering the advantage of that, the weaker, and not the advantage the stronger? That was why, friend Thrasymachus, I was just now saying that no one of his own will chooses to hold rule and office and take other people's troubles1 in hand to straighten them out, but everybody expects pay for that,

1 κακά=troubles, “miseres”, 517 D. For the thought cf. 343 E, 345 E, Xen. Mem. 2.1.8, Hdt. 1.97.

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  • Cross-references in notes from this page (2):
    • Herodotus, Histories, 1.97
    • Xenophon, Memorabilia, 2.1.8
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