[467a]
they must assist and minister in all the business of war
and serve their fathers and mothers. Or have you never noticed the practice
in the arts, how for example the sons of potters look on as helpers a long
time before they put their hands to the clay?” “They do,
indeed.” “Should these then be more concerned than our
guardians to train the children by observation and experience of what is to
be their proper business?” “That would be
ridiculous,” he said. “But, further, when it comes to
fighting,
[467b]
every creature will do better
in the presence of its offspring?” “That is so, but the
risk, Socrates, is not slight, in the event of disasters such as may happen
in war, that, losing their children as well as themselves, they make it
impossible for the remnant of the state to recover.”
“What you say is true,” I replied; “but, in
the first place, is it your idea that the one thing for which we must
provide is the avoidance of all danger?” “By no
means.” “And, if they are to take chances, should it not
be for something success in which will make them better?”
[467c]
“Clearly.”
“Do you think it makes a slight difference and not worth some risk
whether men who are to be warriors do or do not observe war as
boys?” “No, it makes a great difference for the purpose
of which you speak.” “Starting, then, from this
assumption that we are to make the boys spectators of war, we must further
contrive1 security for them
and all will be well, will it not?” “Yes.”
“To begin with, then,” said I, “will not the
fathers be, humanly speaking, not ignorant of war
[467d]
and shrewd judges of which campaigns are hazardous and
which not?” “Presumably,” he said.
“They will take the boys with them to the one and avoid the
others?” “Rightly.” “And for
officers, I presume,” said I, “they will put in charge
of them not those who are good for nothing else but men who by age and
experience are qualified to serve at once as leaders and as caretakers of
children.” “Yes, that would be the proper
way.” “Still, we may object, it is the unexpected2
that happens to many in many cases.” “Yes,
indeed.” “To provide against such chances, then, we must
wing3
the children from the start so that if need arises they may fly away and
escape.”
[467e]
“What do
you mean?” he said. “We must mount them when very
young,” said I, “and first have them taught to ride, and
then conduct them to the scene of war, not on mettlesome war-steeds, but on
the swiftest and gentlest horses possible; for thus they will have the best
view of their own future business and also, if need arises, will most
securely escape to safety in the train of elder guides.”
“I think you are right,” he said.
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