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And I shall do my best to convince him and all mankind of the

truth of my words, or at any rate to prepare for the future when,

in another life, we may again take part in similar discussions.

'That will be a long time hence.' Not long in comparison with

eternity. The many will probably remain incredulous, for they

have never seen the natural unity of ideas, but only artificial

juxtapositions; not free and generous thoughts, but tricks of

controversy and quips of law;-a perfect man ruling in a perfect

state, even a single one they have not known. And we foresaw that

there was no chance of perfection either in states or individuals

until a necessity was laid upon philosophers-not the rogues, but

those whom we called the useless class-of holding office; or

until the sons of kings were inspired with a true love of

philosophy.