Pagina 927 di 1391

But when the cobbler or any other man whom nature designed to be

a trader, having his heart lifted up by wealth or strength or the

number of his followers, or any like advantage, attempts to force

his way into the class of warriors, or a warrior into that of

legislators and guardians, for which he is unfitted, and either

to take the implements or the duties of the other; or when one

man is trader, legislator, and warrior all in one, then I think

you will agree with me in saying that this interchange and this

meddling of one with another is the ruin of the State.

Most true.

Seeing then, I said, that there are three distinct classes, any

meddling of one with another, or the change of one into another,

is the greatest harm to the State, and may be most justly termed

evil-doing?

Precisely.

And the greatest degree of evil-doing to one's own city would be

termed by you injustice?

Certainly.