Memorabilia

Ariston’s son, Glaucon, was attempting to become an orator and striving for headship in the state, though he was less than twenty years old; and none of his friends or relations could check him, though he would get himself dragged from the platform and make himself a laughing-stock. Only Socrates, who took an interest in him for the sake of Plato and Glaucon’s[*](i.e., the elder Glaucon.) son Charmides, managed to check him.

For once on meeting him, he stopped him and contrived to engage his attention by saying: Glaucon, have you made up your mind to be our chief man in the state?I have, Socrates.Well, upon my word there’s no more honourable ambition in the world; for obviously, if you gain your object, you will be able to get whatever you want, and you will have the means of helping your friends: you will lift up your father’s house and exalt your fatherland; and you will make a name for yourself first at home, later on in Greece, and possibly, like Themistocles, in foreign lands as well; wherever you go, you will be a man of mark.

When Glaucon heard this, he felt proud and gladly lingered.Next Socrates asked, Well, Glaucon, as you want to win honour, is it not obvious that you must benefit your city?Most certainly.Pray don’t be reticent, then; but tell us how you propose to begin your services to the state.

As Glaucon remained dumb, apparently considering for the first time how to begin, Socrates said: If you wanted to add to a friend’s fortune, you would set about making him richer. Will you try, then, to make your city richer?Certainly.

Would she not be richer if she had a larger revenue?Oh yes, presumably.Now tell me, from what sources are the city’s revenues at present derived and what is their total? No doubt you have gone into this matter, in order to raise the amount of any that are deficient and supply any that are lacking.Certainly not, exclaimed Glaucon, I haven’t gone into that.

Well, if you have left that out, tell us the expenditure of the city. No doubt you intend to cut down any items that are excessive.The fact is, I haven’t had time yet for that either.Oh, then we will postpone the business of making the city richer; for how is it possible to look after income and expenditure without knowing what they are?

Well, Socrates, one can make our enemies contribute to the city’s wealth.Yes, of course, provided he is stronger than they; but if he be weaker, he may lose what she has got instead.True.

Therefore, in order to advise her whom to fight, it is necessary to know the strength of the city and of the enemy, so that, if the city be stronger, one may recommend her to go to war, but if weaker than the enemy, may persuade her to beware.You are right.