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Very true, I said; that is what I have to do: But will you be so

good as answer yet one more question? Does the just man try to

gain any advantage over the just?

Far otherwise; if he did he would not be the simple amusing

creature which he is.

And would he try to go beyond just action?

He would not.

And how would he regard the attempt to gain an advantage over the

unjust; would that be considered by him as just or unjust?

He would think it just, and would try to gain the advantage; but

he would not be able.

Whether he would or would not be able, I said, is not to the

point. My question is only whether the just man, while refusing

to have more than another just man, would wish and claim to have

more than the unjust?

Yes, he would.

And what of the unjust-does he claim to have more than the just

man and to do more than is just?

Of course, he said, for he claims to have more than all men.