按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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
106
… Page 107…
The Memorabilia
have not yet fully examined them。 But come； I am sure that you have
studied the defences of the country； at all events； and you know exactly
how many forts and outposts are serviceable＇11＇ and how many are not；
you can tell us which garrisons are strong enough and which defective；
and you are prepared to throw in the weight of your advice in favour of
increasing the serviceable outposts and sweeping away those that are
superfluous？
＇10＇ See 〃Econ。〃 xi。 1。
＇11＇ Or； 〃advantageously situated。〃 See the author's own tract on
〃Revenues。〃
Glauc。 Yes； sweep them all away； that's my advice； for any good that is
likely to come of them！ Defences indeed！ so maintained that the property
of the rural districts is simply pilfered。
But suppose you sweep away the outposts （he asked）； may not
something worse； think you； be the consequence？ will not sheer
plundering be free to any ruffian who likes？ 。 。 。 But may I ask is this
judgment the result of personal inspection？ have you gone yourself and
examined the defences？ or how do you know that they are all maintained
as you say？
Glauc。 I conjecture that it is so。
Soc。 Well then； until we have got beyond the region of conjecture shall
we defer giving advice on the matter？ （It will be time enough when we
know the facts。）
Possibly it would be better to wait till then （replied Glaucon）。
Soc。 Then there are the mines；＇12＇ but； of course； I am aware that you
have not visited them in person； so as to be able to say why they are less
productive than formerly。
＇12＇ Again the author's tract on 〃Revenues〃 is a comment on the
matter。
Well； no； I have never been there myself （he answered）。
Soc。 No； Heaven help us！ an unhealthy district by all accounts； so that；
when the moment for advice on that topic arrives； you will have an excuse
ready to hand。
107
… Page 108…
The Memorabilia
I see you are making fun of me （Glaucon answered）。
Soc。 Well； but here is a point； I am sure； which you have not neglected。
No； you will have thoroughly gone into it； and you can tell us。 For how
long a time could the corn supplies from the country districts support the
city？ how much is requisite for a single year； so that the city may not run
short of this prime necessary； before you are well aware； but on the
contrary you with your full knowledge will be in a position to give advice
on so vital a question； to the aid or may be the salvation of your country？
It is a colossal business this （Glaucon answered）； if I am to be obliged
to give attention to all these details。
Soc。 On the other hand； a man could not even manage his own house
or his estate well； without； in the first place； knowing what he requires；
and； in the second place； taking pains； item by item； to supply his wants。
But since this city consists of more than ten thousand houses； and it is not
easy to pay minute attention to so many all at once； how is it you did not
practise yourself by trying to augment the resources of one at any rate of
theseI mean your own uncle's？ The service would not be thrown away。
Then if your strength suffices in the single case you might take in hand a
larger number； but if you fail to relieve one； how could you possibly hope
to succeed with many？ How absurd for a man； if he cannot carry half a
hundredweight； to attempt to carry a whole！＇13＇
＇13＇ Lit。 〃a single talent's weight 。 。 。 to carry two。〃
Glauc。 Nay； for my part； I am willing enough to assist my uncle's
house； if my uncle would only be persuaded to listen to my advice。
Soc。 Then； when you cannot persuade your uncle； do you imagine you
will be able to make the whole Athenian people； uncle and all； obey you？
Be careful； Glaucon （he added）； lest in your thirst for glory and high
repute you come to the opposite。 Do you not see how dangerous it is for a
man to speak or act beyond the range＇14＇ of his knowledge？ To take the
cases known to you of people whose conversation or conduct clearly
transcends these limits： should you say they gain more praise or more
blame on that account？ Are they admired the rather or despised？ Or； again；
consider those who do know what they say and what they do； and you will
108
… Page 10