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Woe is me that I am fated to have Sarpedon, dearest of men to me,

subdued at the hands of Patroclus the son of Menoetius.'

For if, my sweet Adeimantus, our youth seriously listen to such

unworthy representations of the gods, instead of laughing at them

as they ought, hardly will any of them deem that he himself,

being but a man, can be dishonoured by similar actions; neither

will he rebuke any inclination which may arise in his mind to say

and do the like. And instead of having any shame or self-control,

he will be always whining and lamenting on slight occasions.

Yes, he said, that is most true.

Yes, I replied; but that surely is what ought not to be, as the

argument has just proved to us; and by that proof we must abide

until it is disproved by a better.

It ought not to be.

Neither ought our guardians to be given to laughter. For a fit of

laughter which has been indulged to excess almost always produces

a violent reaction.

So I believe.