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[680a] what possible need of laws the men of that time had, and who their lawgiver was.

Clinias
Excellent.

Athenian
Shall we suppose that those men had no need of lawgivers, and that in those days it was not as yet usual to have such a thing? For those born in that age of the world's history did not as yet possess the art of writing, but lived by following custom and what is called patriarchal law.

Clinias
That is certainly probable.

Athenian
But this already amounts to a kind of government.

Clinias
What kind?

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