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But the narrative of Hephaestus binding Here his mother, or how

on another occasion Zeus sent him flying for taking her part when

she was being beaten, and all the battles of the gods in

Homer-these tales must not be admitted into our State, whether

they are supposed to have an allegorical meaning or not. For a

young person cannot judge what is allegorical and what is

literal; anything that he receives into his mind at that age is

likely to become indelible and unalterable; and therefore it is

most important that the tales which the young first hear should

be models of virtuous thoughts.

There you are right, he replied; but if any one asks where are

such models to be found and of what tales are you speaking-how

shall we answer him?