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463a]
there are to be
found in other cities rulers and the people as in it, are there
not?” “There are.” “Will not all
these address one another as fellow-citizens?” “Of
course.” “But in addition to citizens, what does the
people in other states call its rulers.” “In most
cities, masters. In democratic cities, just this, rulers.”
“But what of the people in our city. In addition to citizens,
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463b]
what do they call their
rulers?” “Saviors and helpers,” he said.
“And what term do these apply to the people?”
“Payers of their wage and supporters.” “And
how do the rulers in other states denominate the populace?”
“Slaves,” he said. “And how do the rulers
describe one another?” “Co-rulers,” he said.
“And ours?” “Co-guardians.”
“Can you tell me whether any of the rulers in other states would
speak of some of their co-rulers as ‘belonging’ and
others as outsiders?” “Yes, many would.”
“And such a one thinks and speaks of the one that
‘belongs’ as his own, doesn't he, and of the outsider as
not his own?” “That is so.” “But
what of your guardians. Could any of them think or speak of
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463c]
his co-guardian as an outsider?”
“By no means,” he said; “for no matter whom he
meets, he will feel that he is meeting a brother, a sister, a father, a
mother, a son, a daughter, or the offspring or forebears of
these.” “Excellent,” said I; “but
tell me this further,
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will it be merely
the names
1 of this kinship that you have prescribed for them or
must all their actions conform to the names in all customary observance
toward fathers and in awe and care and obedience for parents, if they look
for the favor
2 of either gods or men, since
any other behaviour would be neither just nor pious? Shall these be the
unanimous oracular voices that they hear from all the people, or shall some
other kind of teaching beset
3 the ears of your children from their birth, both
concerning
4 what
is due to those who are pointed out as their fathers
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463e]
and to their other kin?”
“These,” he said; “for it would be absurd for
them merely to pronounce with their lips the names of kinship without the
deeds.” “Then, in this city more than in any other, when
one citizen fares well or ill, men will pronounce in unison the word of
which we spoke: ‘It is mine that does well; it is mine that does
ill.'” “That is most true,” he said.