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If we are asked to determine which of these four qualities by its

presence contributes most to the excellence of the State, whether

the agreement of rulers and subjects, or the preservation in the

soldiers of the opinion which the law ordains about the true

nature of dangers, or wisdom and watchfulness in the rulers, or

whether this other which I am mentioning, and which is found in

children and women, slave and freeman, artisan, ruler,

subject,-the quality, I mean, of every one doing his own work,

and not being a busybody, would claim the palm-the question is

not so easily answered.

Certainly, he replied, there would be a difficulty in saying

which.

Then the power of each individual in the State to do his own work

appears to compete with the other political virtues, wisdom,

temperance, courage.

Yes, he said.

And the virtue which enters into this competition is justice?

Exactly.