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The only other interest which is allowed to them besides that of

war, is the interest of philosophy. When they are too old to be

soldiers they are to retire from active life and to have a second

novitiate of study and contemplation. There is an element of

monasticism even in Plato's communism. If he could have done

without children, he might have converted his Republic into a

religious order. Neither in the Laws, when the daylight of common

sense breaks in upon him, does he retract his error. In the state

of which he would be the founder, there is no marrying or giving

in marriage: but because of the infirmity of mankind, he

condescends to allow the law of nature to prevail.