[578d]
For I think we must get a notion of the matter
from these examples.” “From which?”
“From individual wealthy private citizens in our states who
possess many slaves. For these resemble the tyrant in being rulers over
many, only the tyrant's numbers are greater.1” “Yes, they
are.” “You are aware, then, that they are unafraid and
do not fear their slaves?” “What should they
fear?” “Nothing,” I said; “but do
you perceive the reason why?” “Yes, because the entire
state
1 Cf. Polit. 259 B. But Plato is not concerned with the question of size or numbers here.
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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