Pagina 687 van 1391

Now I understand you, I said; and whether you are right or not I

will try to discover. But let me remark, that in defining justice

you have yourself used the word 'interest' which you forbade me

to use. It is true, however, that in your definition the words

'of the stronger' are added.

A small addition, you must allow, he said.

Great or small, never mind about that: we must first enquire

whether what you are saying is the truth. Now we are both agreed

that justice is interest of some sort, but you go on to say 'of

the stronger'; about this addition I am not so sure, and must

therefore consider further.

Proceed.

I will; and first tell me, Do you admit that it is just for

subjects to obey their rulers?

I do.

But are the rulers of states absolutely infallible, or are they

sometimes liable to err?

To be sure, he replied, they are liable to err.

Then in making their laws they may sometimes make them rightly,

and sometimes not?

True.