Page - 1407 - in The Complete Plato

a single form, but I think that we may get some notion of them if we can guarantee one thing. Cleinias. What is that? Athenian. I should wish the citizens to be as readily persuaded to virtue as possible; this will surely be the aim of the legislator in all his laws. Cleinias. Certainly. Athenian. The proposal appears to me to be of some value; and I think that a person will listen with more gentleness and good–will to the precepts addressed to him by the legislator, when his soul is not altogether unprepared to receive them. Even a little done in the way of conciliation gains his ear, and is always worth having. For there is no great inclination or readiness on the part of mankind to be made as good, or as quickly good, as possible. The case of the many proves the wisdom of Hesiod, who says that the road to wickedness is smooth and can be travelled without perspiring, because it is so very short: But before virtue the immortal Gods have placed the sweat of labour, and long and steep is the way thither, and rugged at first; but when you have reached the top, although difficult before, it is then easy. Cleinias. Yes; and he certainly speaks well. Athenian. Very true: and now let me tell you the effect which the preceding discourse has had upon me. Cleinias. Proceed. Athenian. Suppose that we have a little conversation with the legislator, and say to him—”O, legislator, speak; if you know what we ought to say and do, you can surely tell.” Cleinias. Of course he can. Athenian. “Did we not hear you just now saying, that the legislator ought not to allow the poets to do what they liked? For that they would not know in which of their words they went against the laws, to the hurt of the state.” Cleinias. That is true. Athenian. May we not fairly make answer to him on behalf of the poets? Cleinias. What answer shall we make to him? Athenian. That the poet, according to the tradition which has ever prevailed among us, and is accepted of all men, when he sits down on the tripod of the muse, is not in his right mind; like a fountain, he allows to flow out freely 1407