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And they alone of all the citizens may not touch or handle silver

or gold, or be under the same roof with them, or wear them, or

drink from them. And this will be their salvation, and they will

be the saviours of the State. But should they ever acquire homes

or lands or moneys of their own, they will become housekeepers

and husbandmen instead of guardians, enemies and tyrants instead

of allies of the other citizens; hating and being hated, plotting

and being plotted against, they will pass their whole life in

much greater terror of internal than of external enemies, and the

hour of ruin, both to themselves and to the rest of the State,

will be at hand. For all which reasons may we not say that thus

shall our State be ordered, and that these shall be the

regulations appointed by us for guardians concerning their houses

and all other matters?

Yes, said Glaucon.

BOOK IV.