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[496b] “of those who consort worthily with philosophy, some well-born and well-bred nature, it may be, held in check1 by exile,2 and so in the absence of corrupters remaining true to philosophy, as its quality bids, or it may happen that a great soul born in a little town scorns3 and disregards its parochial affairs; and a small group perhaps might by natural affinity be drawn to it from other arts which they justly disdain; and the bridle of our companion Theages4 also might operate as a restraint. For in the case of Theages all other conditions were at hand

1 Perhaps “overtaken.” Cf. Goodwin on Dem.De cor. 107.

2 It is possible but unnecessary to conjecture that Plato may be thinking of Anaxagoras or Xenophon or himself or Dion.

3 Cf. Theaet. 173 B, 540 D.

4 This bridle has become proverbial. Cf. Plut.De san. tuenda 126 B, Aelian, Var. Hist. iv. 15. For Theages cf. also Apol. 33 E and the spurious dialogue bearing is name.

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