Pagina 874 di 1391

And he will be most likely to love that which he regards as

having the same interests with himself, and that of which the

good or evil fortune is supposed by him at any time most to

affect his own?

Very true, he replied.

Then there must be a selection. Let us note among the guardians

those who in their whole life show the greatest eagerness to do

what is for the good of their country, and the greatest

repugnance to do what is against her interests.

Those are the right men.

And they will have to be watched at every age, in order that we

may see whether they preserve their resolution, and never, under

the influence either of force or enchantment, forget or cast off

their sense of duty to the State.

How cast off? he said.

I will explain to you, I replied. A resolution may go out of a

man's mind either with his will or against his will; with his

will when he gets rid of a falsehood and learns better, against

his will whenever he is deprived of a truth.