Pagina 809 van 1391

Most certainly, he said, if our idea of the State is ever carried

out.

In the next place our youth must be temperate?

Certainly.

Are not the chief elements of temperance, speaking generally,

obedience to commanders and self-control in sensual pleasures?

True.

Then we shall approve such language as that of Diomede in Homer,

'Friend, sit still and obey my word,'

and the verses which follow,

'The Greeks marched breathing prowess, ...in silent awe of their

leaders,'

and other sentiments of the same kind.

We shall.

What of this line,

'O heavy with wine, who hast the eyes of a dog and the heart of a

stag,'

and of the words which follow? Would you say that these, or any

similar impertinences which private individuals are supposed to

address to their rulers, whether in verse or prose, are well or

ill spoken?

They are ill spoken.

They may very possibly afford some amusement, but they do not

conduce to temperance. And therefore they are likely to do harm

to our young men-you would agree with me there?

Yes.