[420a]
exactly like hired mercenaries, with nothing to do but
keep guard.” “Yes,” said I, “and
what is more, they serve for board-wages and do not even receive pay in
addition to their food as others do,1 so that they will not even be able to take a
journey2 on their own account, if they wish
to, or make presents to their mistresses, or spend money in other directions
according to their desires like the men who are thought to be happy. These
and many similar counts of the indictment you are omitting.”
“Well,” said he, “assume these counts
too.3”
1 Other men, ordinary men. Cf. 543 Bὧν νῦν οἱ ἄλλοι, which disposes of other interpretations and misunderstandings.
2 This is, for other reasons, one of the deprivations of a tyrant (579 B). The Laws strictly limits travel (949 E). Here Plato is speaking from the point of view of the ordinary citizen.
3 The Platonic Socrates always states the adverse case strongly (Introduction p. xi), and observes the rule: “Would you adopt a strong logical attitude/ Always allow your opponent full latitude.”
Plato. Plato in Twelve Volumes, Vols. 5 & 6 translated by Paul Shorey. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1969.
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