صفحة 285 من 1391

We must choose out therefore the natures who are most likely to

ascend to the light and knowledge of the good; but we must not

allow them to remain in the region of light; they must be forced

down again among the captives in the den to partake of their

labours and honours. 'Will they not think this a hardship?' You

should remember that our purpose in framing the State was not

that our citizens should do what they like, but that they should

serve the State for the common good of all. May we not fairly say

to our philosopher,-Friend, we do you no wrong; for in other

States philosophy grows wild, and a wild plant owes nothing to

the gardener, but you have been trained by us to be the rulers

and kings of our hive, and therefore we must insist on your

descending into the den.