[575b]
and the others, the multitude as a whole, are
sober-minded, the few go forth into exile and serve some tyrant elsewhere as
bodyguard or become mercenaries in any war there may be. But if they spring
up in time of peace and tranquillity they stay right there in the city and
effect many small evils.” “What kind of evils do you
mean?” “Oh, they just steal, break into houses, cut
purses, strip men of their garments, plunder temples, and kidnap,1
and if they are fluent speakers they become sycophants and bear false
witness and take bribes.”
1 Cf. the similar lists of crimes in Gorg. 508 E, Xen.Mem. i. 2. 62.
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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