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1 1 | I want to know why the law has ordained that you shall
2 1 | aim of the giver of the law, but I thought that you
3 1 | honour those who obey the law, and impose fixed penalties
4 1 | best of them will be the law forbidding any young men
5 1 | and every other folly, the law has clean driven out; and
6 1 | to some other question of law?~Megillus. O Athenian Stranger,
7 1 | by the State, is called Law.~Cleinias. I am hardly able
8 1 | called by us the common law of the State; there are
9 1 | lead of the best, which is law. For inasmuch as reason
10 1 | things, should embody it in a law, to be her guide in her
11 1 | one fearless, we and the law bring him face to face with
12 2 | right reason, which the law affirms, and which the experience
13 2 | manner at variance with the law, and those who obey the
14 2 | and those who obey the law, but may rather follow the
15 2 | but may rather follow the law and rejoice and sorrow at
16 2 | under the authority of any law, but at the instigation
17 2 | principle in life which the law approves, and which is superior
18 2 | intercourse would be regulated by law and observant of it, and
19 2 | am disposed rather to the law of the Carthaginians, that
20 3 | mountains, and every one gives law to his wife and children,
21 3 | nature, being the rule of law over willing subjects, and
22 3 | class, we who are lovers of law may make ourselves.~Megillus.
23 4 | and houses according to law, meaning by the very term “
24 4 | meaning by the very term “law,” the distribution of mind.
25 4 | issue. Men say that the law ought not to regard either
26 4 | servants or ministers of the law, I give them this name not
27 4 | that state in which the law is subject and has no authority,
28 4 | that the state in which the law is above the rulers, and
29 4 | are the inferiors of the law, has salvation, and every
30 4 | fall short of the divine law. To justice, he who would
31 4 | who are worshipped as the law prescribes in the places
32 4 | if said in the form of law, would be out of place—of
33 4 | this is not the case in a law; the legislator must give
34 4 | language that can become law.~Cleinias. Certainly not.~
35 4 | terrorem to go on to another law; offering never a word of
36 4 | What will be our first law? Will not the the order
37 4 | Then let me first give the law of marriage in a simple
38 4 | This would be the simple law about marriage. The double
39 4 | about marriage. The double law would run thus:—A man shall
40 4 | impiety. He who obeys the law shall be free, and shall
41 4 | now the two forms of the law, you will be able to arrive
42 4 | and I would have every law made after the same pattern,
43 4 | regarded. Of the two forms of law which have been recited,
44 4 | truer and higher strain of law and politics, no one has
45 4 | they are in two parts, the law and the prelude of the law.
46 4 | law and the prelude of the law. The arbitrary command,
47 4 | the meaner sort, was the law pure and simple; and that
48 4 | uttering in the preface of the law, was intended to create
49 4 | command, that is to say, the law. And therefore, in my way
50 4 | than as the matter of the law. And I must further proceed
51 4 | legislation every single law should have a suitable preamble
52 5 | which are not matters of law, but of praise and blame
53 5 | opposites, and making of them a law, choosing, I say, the dear
54 5 | by those who are bound by law to know them; for they are
55 5 | the government and of the law is that in which there prevails
56 5 | marriage according to the law to be hereafter enacted,
57 5 | legislator; and indeed the law declares to the disobedient
58 5 | offences both against the law and the God. How great is
59 5 | such means.~Further, the law enjoins that no private
60 5 | And men who are always at law with one another, and amongst
61 5 | and temperate habits, that law must clearly be wrong. Wherefore,
62 5 | or poverty; and so by a law of inequality, which will
63 5 | being richer. The form of law which I should propose as
64 5 | if he disobeys this our law any one who likes may inform
65 5 | the magistrates whom the law appoints, so that all suits
66 5 | up to 5040; wherefore the law ought to order phratries
67 5 | appearance of minuteness, if the law commands that all the vessels
68 6 | been trained in habits of law, and be well educated, that
69 6 | of the guardians of the law, who must be chosen first
70 6 | be appointed according to law, and that when they are
71 6 | be the guardians of the law; and, secondly, of the registers
72 6 | before the guardians of the law. And if he be cast, let
73 6 | onces. The guardian of the law shall not hold office longer
74 6 | about the guardians of the law; as the work of legislation
75 6 | legislation progresses, each law in turn will assign to them
76 6 | brigadiers. The guardians of the law shall propose as generals
77 6 | like the guardians of the law. And let the generals thus
78 6 | elected, the guardians of the law shall convene the assembly
79 6 | young. The guardians of the law are to be careful inspectors
80 6 | be all made according to law;—also of the waters, which
81 6 | observe the order appointed by law for the agora, and shall
82 6 | speaking of education, the law means to speak of those
83 6 | speaking of contests, the law refers to the judges of
84 6 | go (the guardians of the law shall judge of their fault),
85 6 | for a year according to law. And in like manner the
86 6 | too will rule according to law; one such minister will
87 6 | of the guardians of the law whom they severally think
88 6 | of the guardians of the law—shall hold office for five
89 6 | has no regular courts of law ceases to be a city; and
90 6 | this reason, he who goes to law with another should go first
91 6 | to the guardians of the law and lay his accusation before
92 6 | there shall be a court of law in every tribe, and the
93 6 | Thus much of the courts of law, which, as I was saying,
94 6 | chosen our guardians of the law, and are ourselves in the
95 6 | not only guardians of the law but legislators themselves,
96 6 | laws, in laying down any law, there are many particulars
97 6 | legislator and guardian of the law ought to keep in view. There
98 6 | with the guardians of the law, will legislate in any matters
99 6 | to the guardians of the law, and correct them, until
100 6 | dissents shall prevail, as the law ordains.~Whenever any one
101 6 | as Cleinias says, every law should have a suitable prelude.~
102 6 | happen. Now, to add to the law an express provision, not
103 6 | occurs. Wherefore also the law must let alone such matters,
104 6 | any compulsion of written law.~Let this then be our exhortation
105 6 | shall be pronounced by the law to be a coward and a bad
106 6 | property. And he who obeys this law will do a noble action;
107 6 | him who is obedient to the law; but he who is disobedient
108 6 | by the guardians of the law as a man wanting in true
109 6 | worshipping the Gods according to law for ever.~In the next place,
110 6 | magistrates and the courts of law; in these plaintiff and
111 6 | city. The guardians of the law shall pass any further enactments
112 6 | other points in which the law may be deficient. And now
113 6 | that they will conform to law in their common and public
114 6 | caused the passing of the law, and which would be likely
115 6 | of time. That which has law and order in a state is
116 6 | the women unregulated by law. They have no similar institution
117 6 | had been only regulated by law; for the neglect of regulations
118 6 | point of view the subject of law.~Cleinias. True.~Athenian.
119 6 | great principles of fear and law and right reason; turning
120 6 | with the terrors of the law.~Cleinias. What do you mean?~
121 6 | of the guardians of the law and abide by their permission
122 6 | tell the guardians of the law, and the guardians shall
123 6 | he cannot in a court of law convict those who have inscribed
124 6 | children according to the law, a man or woman have connection
125 6 | modestly, the enactments of law may be left to slumber;
126 7 | and admonition than for law. In private life there are
127 7 | in making them penal by law; and if made penal, they
128 7 | destruction of the written law because mankind get the
129 7 | frequently transgressing the law in small matters. The result
130 7 | Shall we make a ridiculous law that the pregnant woman
131 7 | previously existing written law; but if they depart from
132 7 | whom the guardians of the law appoint. These matrons shall
133 7 | with the guardians of the law, shall, with the sanction
134 7 | sanction of religion and the law, exclude him, and he who
135 7 | discussion on the subject of law has arisen, which requires
136 7 | offend against any other law. And he who observes this
137 7 | And he who observes this law shall be blameless; but
138 7 | we imagine this to be our law.~Cleinias. Very good.~Athenian.
139 7 | being burnt according to law—if, I say, any one who may
140 7 | Cleinias. By all means; that law is approved by the suffrages
141 7 | shall be our next musical law or type? Ought not prayers
142 7 | Athenian. And our third law, if I am not mistaken, will
143 7 | What?—will you explain the law more precisely?~Athenian.
144 7 | Athenian. Shall we make a law that the poet shall compose
145 7 | and the guardians of the law, and they are satisfied
146 7 | shall this be our third law, and type, and model—What
147 7 | will be no objection to a law, that citizens who are departed
148 7 | times better by attaining to law and order, and rejecting
149 7 | may be declared both in law and in ordinary speech to
150 7 | than to their parents. My law would apply to females as
151 7 | said, he who rejects the law must find some other ground
152 7 | appointment of righteous law. For the life which may
153 7 | regulation is to be called a law or only a practice, should
154 7 | let the guardian of the law, who is the director of
155 7 | to good according to the law.~But how can our law sufficiently
156 7 | the law.~But how can our law sufficiently train the director
157 7 | as far as possible, the law ought to leave nothing to
158 7 | learning music than the law allows. And let him who
159 7 | let him who disobeys the law be deprived of those youthful
160 7 | excellent guardians of the law? or how can the lawgiver
161 7 | advise the guardian of the law to act?~Athenian. In what
162 7 | which the guardian of the law who is also the director
163 7 | be no difficulty, for the law has already given and will
164 7 | Suppose that we carry our law to the extent of saying
165 7 | who duly conform to the law. But before proceeding I
166 7 | and the guardian of the law should enquire into them
167 7 | then be laid down, both in law and in our discourse, as
168 7 | noblest of dramas, which true law can alone perfect, as our
169 7 | the customs ordained by law about all dances and the
170 7 | something over and above law which lies in a region between
171 7 | region between admonition and law, and has several times occurred
172 7 | them as matters of positive law is a great absurdity. Now,
173 7 | less than the principles of law which are sanctioned by
174 7 | punishments which he imposes by law. This being premised, there
175 7 | been declared; and let the law be as follows:—Let no one
176 8 | with the guardians of the law, ordain those things which
177 8 | of what is omitted. The law will say that there are
178 8 | to him, according to the law. To such a deity warlike
179 8 | been purified according to law, to be pure of blood, considering
180 8 | described and established by law; and first, let us speak
181 8 | fulfils the ordinances of the law.~Next in order we shall
182 8 | matters in accordance with the law, and let the colonels and
183 8 | and the guardians of the law meeting together for this
184 8 | assuming the functions of law, commands them to abstain?
185 8 | education of our youth imposes a law of moderation on them; moreover,
186 8 | nature should lay down the law which existed before the
187 8 | these loves are accounted by law to be honourable, or at
188 8 | establishing such a practice by law? Certainly no one who had
189 8 | his mind the image of true law. How can we prove, that
190 8 | sorts of love, ought the law to prohibit and forbid them
191 8 | see a way of imposing the law, which, in one respect,
192 8 | daughter the same unwritten law holds, and is a most perfect
193 8 | surest foundation of the law which he can make.~Megillus.
194 8 | likely to grow? Now if a law to this effect could only
195 8 | parents and children—such a law, extending to other sensual
196 8 | and perpetuating such a law, which was very easy in
197 8 | difficulty in seeing that such a law is possible, and in what
198 8 | temptation, the guardians of the law, exercising the functions
199 8 | lawgivers, shall devise a second law against them.~Cleinias.
200 8 | them.~Cleinias. And what law would you advise them to
201 8 | sanctioned by custom and made law by unwritten prescription;
202 8 | is, a stranger. Let this law, then, whether it is one,
203 8 | would gladly receive this law. Cleinias shall speak for
204 8 | the first of them be the law of Zeus, the god of boundaries.
205 8 | stir up. He who obeys the law will never know the fatal
206 8 | but he who despises the law shall be liable to a double
207 8 | and the second from the law. For let no one wilfully
208 8 | with the enactments of many law givers, which we may use,
209 8 | stored. Let this be the law, then, concerning the fruits
210 8 | punished in accordance with the law which ordains that he should
211 8 | tribute of hospitality. The law however forbids strangers
212 8 | however, he will not obey the law, let him run risk of failing
213 8 | therefore be protected by law. And let this be the law:—
214 8 | law. And let this be the law:—If any one intentionally
215 8 | younger generation regulate by law, after the patterns which
216 8 | labour to maintain this law, and if any citizen incline
217 8 | courts decide according to law. Let no one pay any duty
218 8 | from the guardians of the law; and they shall be the twelve
219 8 | and the guardians of the law shall make fit and proper
220 8 | are sold to them, as the law ordains. And let the law
221 8 | law ordains. And let the law be as follows:—on the first
222 8 | which the guardians of the law and the wardens of the market
223 8 | will not be protected by law. But whenever property has
224 8 | value than is allowed by the law, which has determined within
225 8 | of the guardians of the law; in case of diminution,
226 9 | legislation will come suits of law. Of suits those which relate
227 9 | I will proclaim my first law about the robbing of temples,
228 9 | generally, I will proclaim the law about robbers of temples
229 9 | who hearkens to them the law has nothing to say. But
230 9 | for no penalty which the law inflicts is designed for
231 9 | let the guardians of the law refer to the registers,
232 9 | be the guardians of the law, and a court selected by
233 9 | up sedition contrary to law, him we will deem the greatest
234 9 | there be a third general law respecting the judges who
235 9 | descendants—there shall be one law for all three, for the traitor,
236 9 | little, let there be one law, and one punishment for
237 9 | case, Cleinias, our view of law will be more in accordance
238 9 | he who was the enemy of law and order, might justly
239 9 | can, make the hurt good by law, and save that which is
240 9 | given for injustice, the law must always seek to win
241 9 | injustice, small or great, the law will admonish and compel
242 9 | or in whatsoever way the law shall proceed to make a
243 9 | quite the noblest work of law. But if the legislator sees
244 9 | for him he will appoint a law and a penalty. He knows
245 9 | expiration of the time which the law appoints, or even set his
246 9 | by the guardians of the law in the public prison for
247 9 | purified according to the law brought from Delphi relating
248 9 | be held guiltless by the law. And if one slay another
249 9 | one voluntarily obeys this law, the next of kin to the
250 9 | five years, according to law. If a stranger unintentionally
251 9 | if he return contrary to law, let the guardians of the
252 9 | let the guardians of the law punish him with death; and
253 9 | this wise: (and here the law has difficulty in determining
254 9 | murderer who is judged by the law to be the worse may really
255 9 | things the guardians of the law must take cognisance):—When
256 9 | homicide is disobedient to the law, and without purification
257 9 | fine in accordance with the law. If a slave in a fit of
258 9 | be justly liable to the law concerning impiety, which
259 9 | hands of his parents, no law will allow to kill his father
260 9 | him be subject to the same law as he who has killed a father;
261 9 | killed a father; and let the law about the remission of penalties
262 9 | for a year, according to law.~Enough has been said of
263 9 | the proclamation of the law. But if he will not listen,
264 9 | listen, let the following law be declared and registered
265 9 | forbidden of men or not; for the law, which represents the whole
266 9 | even as the curse of the law stirs up the voices of men
267 9 | justice according to the law. Now the legislator may
268 9 | religion, the guardians of the law, aided by the interpreters,
269 9 | carry on the prosecution at law. The cause shall have the
270 9 | of kindred, follows the law of retaliation, and ordains
271 9 | forth unburied, according to law. And what shall he suffer
272 9 | of life, not because the law of the state requires him,
273 9 | the border. Let this one law then be laid down by us
274 9 | guiltless in the eye of the law; or if a person kill another
275 9 | over him; for there is no law or order which is above
276 9 | therefore we must choose law and order, which are second
277 9 | And to allow courts of law to determine all these things,
278 9 | should be left to courts of law; others the legislator must
279 9 | he to leave to courts of law?~Athenian. I may reply,
280 9 | his enemy, and whom the law does not permit him to slay,
281 9 | will—in such a case the law will remit the punishment
282 9 | distinctly laid down in the law; or if any of the citizens
283 9 | undergo expiation according to law; and then let the kinsmen
284 9 | and the guardians of the law, meet and consider what
285 9 | make him heir according to law, and the offending person
286 9 | liable to be convicted by law of refusal to serve. The
287 9 | to the guardians of the law. And when similar charges
288 9 | which is prescribed by the law. If a slave in a fit of
289 9 | is old. Let this be the law:—Every one shall reverence
290 9 | prelude, shall have the law ready for him:—If any man
291 9 | be disgraced according to law; but if he be the equal
292 9 | years or more, the same law shall hold about the bystanders
293 9 | not assist according to law be punished, if he be of
294 9 | ancestors, according to law. And if any one is found
295 9 | And if he disobeys the law, and pollutes the city and
296 9 | the temples contrary to law, and one of the magistrates
297 9 | his master according to law, and not deprive him of
298 9 | of his property. Let the law be as follows:—The slave
299 10| violence under a single law, which shall be as follows:—
300 10| There should be a common law embracing all these cases.
301 10| should become longer than the law? For the discourse will
302 10| nature and another thing by law, and that the principles
303 10| which are made by art and by law have no basis in nature,
304 10| Gods are not such as the law bids them imagine; and hence
305 10| the Gods are such as the law ordains (and this may be
306 10| conform to the copy which the law gives them, then he who
307 10| who refuses to obey the law shall die, or suffer stripes
308 10| he ought to support the law and also art, and acknowledge
309 10| there are Gods, of whom the law is said now to approve,
310 10| attention and mind and art and law will be prior to that which
311 10| changing move according to law and to the order of destiny:
312 10| be the interpreter of the law; this shall proclaim to
313 10| those who disobey, let the law about impiety be as follows:—
314 10| magistrates, in aid of the law; and let the magistrates
315 10| appointed court according to the law; and if a magistrate, after
316 10| to be bound according to law in the prison which is in
317 10| by the guardians of the law from the hands of the public
318 10| cases there should be one law, which will make men in
319 10| religious rites contrary to law. And let this be the simple
320 10| be the simple form of the law:—No man shall have sacred
321 10| cases we should obey the law. The law has also regard
322 10| should obey the law. The law has also regard to the impious,
323 10| will enact the following law:—No one shall possess shrines
324 10| to the guardians of the law; and let them issue orders
325 10| let the guardians of the law determine, before they bring
326 11| order shall follow a similar law, which shall apply equally
327 11| dedicated to her by the law. But if any one defies the
328 11| But if any one defies the law, and takes the property
329 11| magistrates according to law, the claimant shall summon
330 11| the understanding that the law gives no protection in cases
331 11| the understanding that the law gives no protection in such
332 11| the restitutions which the law allows. And let legal restitution
333 11| youngest guardians of the law, and if the decision be
334 11| purchaser, according to the law of the interpreters, and
335 11| in accordance with the law. And let us have a prelude
336 11| conform to this rule, let the law be as follows:—He who sells
337 11| and the guardians of the law shall obtain information
338 11| with the guardians of the law, and write down the omission,
339 11| counsel and reason, and the law shall come afterwards. Retail
340 11| After this preface let our law run as follows, and may
341 11| This shall be the second law:—He who engages in retail
342 11| a stranger. And a third law shall be:—In order that
343 11| possible, the guardians of the law shall remember that they
344 11| these the guardians of the law should meet and take counsel
345 11| be of a nature which the law or a vote of the assembly
346 11| the other party may go to law with him in the courts of
347 11| in the second place, the law shall follow in a similar
348 11| man undertakes a work, the law gives him the same advice
349 11| ask the value; this the law enjoins also on the contractor;
350 11| gain, in his case let the law and the Gods maintain the
351 11| execute their work well the law will never tire of praising
352 11| due return of honour, the law will blame him. Let this
353 11| him. Let this then be the law, having an ingredient of
354 11| reproaches, and so they passed a law to the effect that a man
355 11| dying, Cleinias, and let the law be as follows:~He who makes
356 11| to a colony according to law, to him his father may give
357 11| of him according to the law. If the sons of a man require
358 11| whom the guardians of the law shall appoint when the orphans
359 11| eldest guardians of the law shall have the whole care
360 11| impossible consideration. Let the law about these matters where
361 11| to the regulation of the law; but if he be not of her
362 11| a will, let the previous law in general hold; and let
363 11| and of his subjects, the law begging the latter to forgive
364 11| compelled to disobey the law, if he is required, for
365 11| these cases be embodied in a law:—If any one finds fault
366 11| compel those who are by our law required to marry or be
367 11| of the guardians of the law to be arbiters and fathers
368 11| to the guardians of the law, let him bring his adversaries
369 11| that the guardians of the law are lawgivers and fathers
370 11| tale which precedes the law, and does no wrong to an
371 11| legislation about orphans, the law speaks in serious accents,
372 11| among the guardians of the law to whom the superintendence
373 11| of an orphan observe this law. But any one who acts contrary
374 11| who acts contrary to the law on these matters, if he
375 11| office of guardian of the law, and let the state appoint
376 11| another guardian of the law for the city and for the
377 11| be regulated by some such law as the following:—He who
378 11| son who is put away, no law shall hinder him; for the
379 11| father for insanity, let the law in that case or, that he
380 11| eldest guardians of the law and tell them of his father’
381 11| of the guardians of the law, who are impartial, and
382 11| children, male or female, the law will advise rather than
383 11| sufficient in the eye of the law. When a child is admitted
384 11| and the guardians of the law shall send away the offspring
385 11| cars of any one, let the law follow, which may be rightly
386 11| eldest guardians of the law, and three of the women
387 11| bodies according to a natural law; there is also another kind
388 11| them. But we must have a law in two parts, concerning
389 11| prophet or diviner). Let the law, then, run as follows about
390 11| to all these things, the law, like a good archer, should
391 11| legislator, whenever the law leaves to him to determine
392 11| of the cases in which the law is to be applied. This is
393 11| Let this, then, be the law about abuse, which shall
394 11| who is present support the law, and control with blows
395 11| to be sanctioned by the law in the employment of innocent
396 11| legislator may safely make a law applicable to such cases
397 11| which ensues according to law. And if a person calls up
398 11| help of an advocate the law enables a man to win a particular
399 11| disobey, the voice of the law is as follows:—If anyone
400 11| him for malpractices of law and dishonest advocacy,
401 12| violated, contrary to the law, the commands and duties
402 12| or robs contrary to the law, is never either a God or
403 12| contend against the following law:—If a man steal anything
404 12| wholly unjust. Wherefore the law is not disposed to inflict
405 12| one convict in a court of law a stranger or a slave of
406 12| of the military life; the law shall be as follows:—He
407 12| difficult; but still the law must attempt to define the
408 12| lets his shield go. Let the law then be as follows:—If a
409 12| therefore let us make a law as nearly like this as we
410 12| of cowardice. And let the law be in the following terms:—
411 12| according to the ancient law, as long as their lives
412 12| of human nature, let the law ordain that he who pleases
413 12| of the guardians of the law, and to them the surviving
414 12| life are perjured. Let the law, then, be as follows:—A
415 12| officers whom the city and the law empower to exact the sum
416 12| other men; and these no law shall hinder. For a city
417 12| of the guardians of the law, but when he is more than
418 12| place, of guardians of the law, the ten eldest being chosen;
419 12| convicted in a court of law of interfering about education
420 12| is prevented shall go to law with him, estimating the
421 12| safest course is to obey the law which says, “Do no service
422 12| them the guardians of the law may by reflection derive
423 12| the divine and admirable law possessing a name akin to
424 12| have any right of going to law with any other man until
425 12| of the guardians of the law, and if he be cast, let
426 12| sense of meanness. Let the law, then, be as follows:—The
427 12| expense. The guardians of the law ought to take especial care
428 12| some one guardian of the law presiding, who shall be
429 12| who adopts custom as his law we must give way in certain
430 12| a single guardian of the law shall be punished by them
431 12| salvation to the body, but law, or rather preservation
432 12| rather preservation of the law, in the soul; and, if I
433 12| oldest guardians of the law, and all those who have
434 12| to attain this, and what law or what man will advise
435 12| and the guardian of the law, and to him who thinks that
436 12| choose as a guardian of the law, or to place in the select
437 12| a guard set according to law for the salvation of the
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