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Then what is that joint use of silver or gold in which the just

man is to be preferred?

When you want a deposit to be kept safely.

You mean when money is not wanted, but allowed to lie?

Precisely.

That is to say, justice is useful when money is useless?

That is the inference.

And when you want to keep a pruning-hook safe, then justice is

useful to the individual and to the state; but when you want to

use it, then the art of the vine-dresser?

Clearly.

And when you want to keep a shield or a lyre, and not to use

them, you would say that justice is useful; but when you want to

use them, then the art of the soldier or of the musician?

Certainly.

And so of all other things;-justice is useful when they are

useless, and useless when they are useful?

That is the inference.

Then justice is not good for much. But let us consider this

further point: Is not he who can best strike a blow in a boxing

match or in any kind of fighting best able to ward off a blow?

Certainly.