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And the fear of this, as I conceive, induces the good to take

office, not because they would, but because they cannot help-not

under the idea that they are going to have any benefit or

enjoyment themselves, but as a necessity, and because they are

not able to commit the task of ruling to any one who is better

than themselves, or indeed as good. For there is reason to think

that if a city were composed entirely of good men, then to avoid

office would be as much an object of contention as to obtain

office is at present; then we should have plain proof that the

true ruler is not meant by nature to regard his own interest, but

that of his subjects; and every one who knew this would choose

rather to receive a benefit from another than to have the trouble

of conferring one. So far am I from agreeing with Thrasymachus

that justice is the interest of the stronger.