the memorabilia(纪念品)-第29节
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rather your object is to teach me that the would…be general must make
such things his care。 I admit in any case all you say。
Socrates proceeded： Has it ever caught your observation； Pericles； that
a high mountain barrier stretches like a bulwark in front of our country
down towards Boeotiacleft； moreover； by narrow and precipitous passes；
the only avenues into the heart of Attica； which lies engirdled by a ring of
natural fortresses？＇31＇
＇31＇ The mountains are Cithaeron and Parnes N。； and Cerata N。W。
Per。 Certainly I have。
Soc。 Well； and have you ever heard tell of the Mysians and Pisidians
living within the territory of the great king；＇32＇ who； inside their mountain
fortresses； lightly armed； are able to rush down and inflict much injury on
the king's territory by their raids； while preserving their own freedom？
＇32＇ For this illustration see 〃Anab。〃 III。 ii。 23； cf。 〃Econ。〃 iv。 18；
where Socrates （｛XS｝） refers to Cyrus's expedition and death。
Per。 Yes； the circumstance is not new to me。
And do you not think （added Socrates） that a corps of young able…
bodied Athenians； accoutred with lighter arms；＇33＇ and holding our natural
mountain rampart in possession； would prove at once a thorn in the
enemy's side offensively； whilst defensively they would form a splendid
bulwark to protect the country？
＇33＇ Cf。 the reforms of Iphicrates。
To which Pericles： I think； Socrates； these would be all useful
measures； decidedly。
If； then （replied Socrates）； these suggestions meet your approbation；
try； O best of men； to realise themif you can carry out a portion of them；
it will be an honour to yourself and a blessing to the state； while； if you
fail in any point； there will be no damage done to the city nor discredit to
yourself。
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VI
Glaucon；＇1＇ the son of Ariston； had conceived such an ardour to gain
the headship of the state that nothing could hinder him but he must deliver
a course of public speeches；＇2＇ though he had not yet reached the age of
twenty。 His friends and relatives tried in vain to stop him making himself
ridiculous and being dragged down from the bema。＇3＇ Socrates； who took
a kindly interest in the youth for the sake of Charmides＇4＇ the son of
Glaucon； and of Plato； alone succeeded in restraining him。 It happened
thus。 He fell in with him； and first of all； to get him to listen； detained him
by some such remarks as the following：＇5＇
＇1＇ Glaucon； Plato's brother。 Grote； 〃Plato；〃 i。 508。
＇2＇ 〃Harangue the People。〃
＇3＇ See Plat。 〃Protag。〃 319 C： 〃And if some person offers to give them
advice who is not supposed by them to have any skill in the art ＇sc。
of politics＇； even though he be good…looking； and rich； and noble；
they will not listen to him； but laugh at him； and hoot him； until he is
either clamoured down and retires of himself； or if he persists； he is
dragged away or put out by the constables at the command of the
prytanes〃 （Jowett）。 Cf。 Aristoph。 〃Knights；〃 665； ｛kath eilkon auton
oi prutaneis kai toxotai｝。
＇4＇ For Charmides （maternal uncle of Plato and Glaucon； cousin of
Critias） see ch。 vii。 below； Plato the philosopher； Glaucon's brother；
see Cobet； 〃Pros。 Xen。〃 p。 28。
＇5＇ Or； 〃and in the first instance addressing him in such terms he
could not choose but hear； detained him。〃 See above； II。 vi。 11。
Socrates applies his own theory。
Ah； Glaucon （he exclaimed）； so you have determined to become prime
minister？＇6＇
＇6＇ ｛prostateuein｝。
Glauc。 Yes； Socrates； I have。
Soc。 And what a noble aim！ if aught human ever deserved to be called
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noble； since if you succeed in your design； it follows； as the night the day；
you will be able not only to gratify your every wish； but you will be in a
position to benefit your friends； you will raise up your father's house； you
will exalt your fatherland； you will become a name thrice famous in the
city first； and next in Hellas； and lastly even among barbarians perhaps；
like Themistocles； but be it here or be it there； wherever you be； you will
be the observed of all beholders。＇7＇
＇7＇ 〃The centre of attractionthe cynosure of neighbouring eyes。〃
The heart of Glaucon swelled with pride as he drank in the words； and
gladly he stayed to listen。
Presently Socrates proceeded： Then this is clear； Glaucon； is it not？
that you must needs benefit the city； since you desire to reap her honours？
Glauc。 Undoubtedly。
Then； by all that is sacred （Socrates continued）； do not keep us in the
dark； but tell us in what way do you propose first to benefit the state？ what
is your starting…point？＇8＇ When Glaucon remained with sealed lips； as if
he were now for the first time debating what this starting…point should be；
Socrates continued： I presume； if you wished to improve a friend's estate；
you would endeavour to do so by adding to its wealth； would you not？ So
here； maybe； you will try to add to the wealth of the state？
＇8＇ Or； 〃tell us what your starting…point will be in the path of
benefaction。〃
Most decidedly （he answered）。
Soc。 And we may take it the state will grow wealthier in proportion as
her revenues increase？
Glauc。 That seems probable； at any rate。
Soc。 Then would you kindly tell us from what sources the revenues of
the state are at present derived； and what is their present magnitude？ No
doubt you have gone carefully into the question； so that if any of these are
failing you may make up the deficit； or if neglected for any reason； make
some new provision。＇9＇
＇9＇ Or； 〃or if others have dropped out or been negligently overlooked；
you may replace them。〃
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Glauc。 Nay； to speak the truth； these are matters I have not thoroughly
gone into。
Never mind （he said） if you have omitted the point； but you might
oblige us by running through the items or heads of expenditure。 Obviously
you propose to remove all those which are superfluous？
Glauc。 Well； no。 Upon my word I have not had time to look into that
side of the matter either as yet。
Soc。 Then we will postpone for the present the problem of making the
state wealthier； obviously without knowing the outgoings and the
incomings it would be impossible to deal with the matter seriously。
But； Socrates （Glaucon remarked）； it is possible to enrich the state out
of the pockets of her enemies！
Yes； to be sure； considerably （answered Socrates）； in the event of
getting the better of them； but in the event of being worsted； it is also
possible to lose what we have got。
A true observation （he replied）。
And therefore （proceeded Socrates）； before he makes up his mind with
what enemy to go to war； a statesman should know the relative powers of
his own city and the adversary's； so that； in case the superiority be on his
own side； he may throw the weight of his advice into the scale of
undertaking war； but if the opposite he may plead in favour of exercising
caution。
You are right （he answered）。
Soc。 Then would you for our benefit enumerate the land and naval
forces first of Athens and then of our opponents？
Glauc。 Pardon me。 I could not tell you them off…hand at a moment's
notice。
Or （added Socrates）； if you have got the figures on paper； you might
produce them。 I cannot tell how anxious I am to hear your statement。
Glauc。 No； I assure you； I have not got them even on paper yet。
Soc。 Well then； we will defer tending advice on the topic of peace or
war； in a maiden speech at any rate。＇10＇ I can understand that； owing to
the magnitude of the questions； in these early days of your ministry you
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