[497d]
having the same conception of its constitution that you the lawgiver had
in framing its laws.1” “That was said,” he
replied. “But it was not sufficiently explained,” I
said, “from fear of those objections on your part which have shown
that the demonstration of it is long and difficult. And apart from that the
remainder of the exposition is by no means easy.2” “Just what do you mean?”
“The manner in which a state that occupies itself with philosophy
can escape destruction. For all great things are precarious and, as the
proverb truly says, fine things are hard.3”
“All the same,”
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