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the matter out, and not shrink from the inquiry.
Let us then consider, first of all, what will be their way of life, now that we
have thus established them. Will they not produce corn and wine and clothes
and shoes, and build houses for themselves? And when they are housed, they
will work, in summer, commonly, stripped and barefoot, but in winter
substantially clothed and shod. They will feed on barley-meal and flour of
wheat, baking and kneading them, making noble cakes and loaves; these they
will serve up on a mat of reeds or on clean leaves, themselves reclining the
while upon beds strewn with yew or myrtle. And they and their children will
feast, drinking of the wine which they have made, wearing garlands on their
heads, and hymning the praises of the gods, in happy converse with one
another. And they will take care that their families do not exceed their means;
having an eye to poverty or war.
But, said Glaucon, interposing, you have not given them a relish to their
meal.
True, I replied, I had forgotten; of course they must have a relish—salt and
olives and cheese—and they will boil roots and herbs such as country people
prepare; for a dessert we shall give them figs and peas and beans; and they
will roast myrtle-berries and acorns at the fire, drinking in moderation. And
with such a diet they may be expected to live in peace and health to a good
old age, and bequeath a similar life to their children after them.
Yes, Socrates, he said, and if you were providing for a city of pigs, how
else would you feed the beasts?
But what would you have, Glaucon? I replied.
Why, he said, you should give them the ordinary conveniences of life.
People who are to be comfortable are accustomed to lie on sofas, and dine off
tables, and they should have sauces and sweets in the modern style.
Yes, I said, now I understand: the question which you would have me
consider is, not only how a State, but how a luxurious State is created; and
possibly there is no harm in this, for in such a State we shall be more likely to
see how justice and injustice originate. In my opinion the true and healthy
constitution of the State is the one which I have described. But if you wish
also to see a State at fever-heat, I have no objection. For I suspect that many
will not be satisfied with the simpler way of life. They will be for adding
sofas and tables and other furniture; also dainties and perfumes and incense
and courtesans and cakes, all these not of one sort only, but in every variety.
We must go beyond the necessaries of which I was at first speaking, such as
houses and clothes and shoes; the arts of the painter and the embroiderer will
have to be set in motion, and gold and ivory and all sorts of materials must be
1058
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Buch The Complete Plato"
The Complete Plato
- Titel
- The Complete Plato
- Autor
- Plato
- Datum
- ~347 B.C.
- Sprache
- englisch
- Lizenz
- PD
- Abmessungen
- 21.0 x 29.7 cm
- Seiten
- 1612
- Schlagwörter
- Philosophy, Antique, Philosophie, Antike, Dialogues, Metaphysik, Metaphysics, Ideologie, Ideology, Englisch
- Kategorien
- Geisteswissenschaften
- International