Laws
    Book
  1 1 |       STRANGER; CLEINIAS, a Cretan; MEGILLUS, a Lacedaemonian~Athenian
  2 1 |           lawgiver: would they not, Megillus?~Megillus. Certainly.~Athenian.
  3 1 |           would they not, Megillus?~Megillus. Certainly.~Athenian. And
  4 1 |             son of Zeus. As you and Megillus have been trained in these
  5 1 |       mistaken, will agree with me.~Megillus. Why, my good friend, how
  6 1 |             Stranger, is most true.~Megillus. Quite excellent, in my
  7 1 |           more than enough of them.~Megillus. Very true.~Cleinias. And
  8 1 |            wise and good, and I and Megillus and Cleinias of Cnosus do,
  9 1 |            speaking look to virtue.~Megillus. Very good; and suppose
 10 1 |      legislator with a view to war?~Megillus. Yes.~Athenian. And what
 11 1 |      provided the meaning is clear.~Megillus. Then I, or any other Lacedaemonian,
 12 1 |             comes fourth and fifth.~Megillus. I think that I can get
 13 1 |          citizens to melt like wax?~Megillus. I should say the latter.~
 14 1 |         dangerous and nearest home?~Megillus. I was able to tell you,
 15 1 |     Athenian. Suppose, Cleinias and Megillus, that we consider the virtue
 16 1 |        those of any ordinary state.~Megillus. That is not an easy question
 17 1 |            is the reverse of happy.~Megillus. I admit, Stranger, that
 18 1 |            Thracians and Scythians.~Megillus. O best of men, we have
 19 1 |    reference to these very matters.~Megillus. How do you mean?~Athenian.
 20 1 |            who are only two cities?~Megillus. I shall gladly welcome
 21 1 |            justice in such censure?~Megillus. Certainly not.~Athenian.
 22 1 |            or not? What do you say?~Megillus. I say that he is not a
 23 1 |           sick and drunk with fear?~Megillus. Impossible.~Athenian. And
 24 1 |             coward he has no skill?~Megillus. He is a miserable fellow,
 25 1 |           they say is of any value?~Megillus. Certainly not, if they
 26 1 |       constitute a kind of meeting?~Megillus. Of course.~Athenian. And
 27 1 |         some other question of law?~Megillus. O Athenian Stranger, let
 28 1 |             used to say to me—”See, Megillus, how ill or how well,” as
 29 1 |              however, as if I were.~Megillus. I am in the like case.~
 30 1 |          truth of your description.~Megillus. Certainly.~Athenian. Now,
 31 3 |             read among the Cretans.~Megillus. But they are in Lacedaemon,
 32 3 |           of the history of Sparta.~Megillus. To be sure.~Athenian. Thus,
 33 3 |         would make a state happy, O Megillus and Cleinias, we may now
 34 3 |            the previous discussion.~Megillus. If some God, Stranger,
 35 3 |         must consider this subject?~Megillus. Certainly.~Athenian. Let
 36 3 |             in complete subjection, Megillus, to your ancestors; for
 37 3 |         Argos, Messene, Lacedaemon.~Megillus. True.~Athenian. Temenus
 38 3 |          Eurysthenes of Lacedaemon.~Megillus. Certainly.~Athenian. To
 39 3 |            subverted their kingdom.~Megillus. True.~Athenian. But can
 40 3 |            said a little while ago?~Megillus. No.~Athenian. And may we
 41 3 |       manner. Is not this the fact?~Megillus. Yes.~Athenian. And the
 42 3 |             of their constitutions?~Megillus. What security?~Athenian.
 43 3 |         against a rebellious third.~Megillus. True.~Athenian. Many persons
 44 3 |             in an agreeable manner.~Megillus. Exactly.~Athenian. Whereas
 45 3 |           great infliction of pain.~Megillus. Certainly.~Athenian. There
 46 3 |           the task of passing laws.~Megillus. What advantage?~Athenian.
 47 3 |    considerable or of old standing.~Megillus. Very true.~Athenian. But
 48 3 |          country turn out so badly?~Megillus. How do you mean; and why
 49 3 |           remained was the Spartan.~Megillus. The question which you
 50 3 |             set out on our journey.~Megillus. Certainly; and we must
 51 3 |             greater or more famous?~Megillus. I know of none.~Athenian.
 52 3 |      constitutions of their states?~Megillus. Quite true.~Athenian. And
 53 3 |          and lastingly established?~Megillus. Of course they would.~Athenian.
 54 3 |             been invincible in war.~Megillus. No doubt.~Athenian. But
 55 3 |            worthy of consideration.~Megillus. Certainly, no one will
 56 3 |             and important question.~Megillus. Very true.~Athenian. Did
 57 3 |           own case or in any other?~Megillus. To what are you referring,
 58 3 |            just laughing at myself.~Megillus. But were you not right
 59 3 |          results would he achieve!”~Megillus. And would he not be justified?~
 60 3 |            aim would they have had?~Megillus. Very good.~Athenian. Suppose
 61 3 |            part of what he desires.~Megillus. He would.~Athenian. Well,
 62 3 |       common desire of all mankind?~Megillus. What is it?~Athenian. The
 63 3 |             with his soul’s desire.~Megillus. Certainly.~Athenian. And
 64 3 |           for the fulfilment of it.~Megillus. No doubt.~Athenian. And
 65 3 |            they ask for themselves.~Megillus. We do.~Athenian. Dear is
 66 3 |           the younger to the elder.~Megillus. Of course.~Athenian. And
 67 3 |             that he may not obtain.~Megillus. When the son is young and
 68 3 |            in his father’s prayers?~Megillus. I understand you to mean
 69 3 |            approval or disapproval.~Megillus. Excellent, Cleinias; let
 70 3 |             to know whether you and Megillus would agree with me in what
 71 3 |          much wiser head than ours.~Megillus. What do you mean?~Athenian.
 72 3 |            with you Lacedaemonians, Megillus, may easily know and may
 73 3 |             been done at that time.~Megillus. Speak a little more clearly.~
 74 3 |           which I am about to make.~Megillus. What is it?~Athenian. That
 75 3 |           happened was as follows:—~Megillus. What?~Athenian. A God,
 76 3 |      miserably. These, Cleinias and Megillus, are the reproaches which
 77 3 |    particular virtue of temperance.~Megillus. What do you mean, Stranger?~
 78 3 |        courage is a part of virtue?~Megillus. To be sure.~Athenian. Then,
 79 3 |            no control over himself?~Megillus. Heaven forbid!~Athenian.
 80 3 |            profession, but a rogue?~Megillus. Certainly not.~Athenian.
 81 3 |         grow apart from temperance?~Megillus. Impossible.~Athenian. Any
 82 3 |         reason, can be intemperate?~Megillus. No.~Athenian. There is
 83 3 |         award of honours in states.~Megillus. What is it?~Athenian. I
 84 3 |            to be praised or blamed?~Megillus. I cannot tell.~Athenian.
 85 3 |          you would have gone wrong.~Megillus. I am fortunate.~Athenian.
 86 3 |             passed over in silence.~Megillus. You are speaking of temperance?~
 87 3 |       according to a regular order.~Megillus. True.~Athenian. And ought
 88 3 |            determine these classes?~Megillus. Certainly he should.~Athenian.
 89 3 |             law may make ourselves.~Megillus. Very; good.~Athenian. We
 90 3 |       unholy and unpatriotic thing?~Megillus. Yes; let that be plainly
 91 3 |      compared with gold and silver.~Megillus. Quite true.~Athenian. And
 92 3 |           and despotism among them.~Megillus. Good.~Athenian. Next, we
 93 3 |            scattered and dispersed.~Megillus. Your words, Athenian, are
 94 3 |            Athenian. They are true, Megillus; and to you, who have inherited
 95 3 |         deal to say for themselves.~Megillus. True; but I wish that you
 96 3 |        willing servant of the laws.~Megillus. What laws do you mean?~
 97 3 |             daring sort of liberty?~Megillus. Very true.~Athenian. Consequent
 98 3 |             has all this been said?~Megillus. Very good.~Athenian. This,
 99 3 |             been said for the sake—~Megillus. Of what?~Athenian. We were
100 3 |          principles, were they not?~Megillus. Certainly.~Athenian. With
101 3 |             party were the gainers.~Megillus. Very true.~Athenian. And
102 3 |        order his own life. And now, Megillus and Cleinias, how can we
103 3 | auspiciously have you and my friend Megillus come in my way. For I will
104 3 |             Good news, Cleinias; if Megillus has no objection, you may
105 3 |           you.~Cleinias. Thank you.~Megillus. And so will I.~Cleinias.
106 4 |        Hellenes and barbarians. But Megillus and I say rather, that the
107 4 |         them.”~Cleinias. I suppose, Megillus, that this companion virtue
108 4 |       government is to be referred?~Megillus. Ought I to answer first,
109 4 |       Cleinias. Perhaps you should.~Megillus. And yet, Stranger, I perceive
110 4 |             in the same difficulty, Megillus; for I do not feel confident
111 4 |          and be of half the length.~Megillus. The shorter form, Stranger,
112 4 |          laws.~Cleinias. Thank you, Megillus.~Athenian. Whether, in the
113 5 |         must not fail to observe, O Megillus and Cleinias, that there
114 6 |            Stranger, do not you and Megillus take a part in our new city?~
115 6 |        votes. But who, Cleinias and Megillus, will order for us in the
116 6 |           principle you are to act. Megillus and Cleinias and I have
117 6 |            our practice about them.~Megillus. I do not understand, Stranger,
118 6 |       Athenian. I am not surprised, Megillus, for the state of the Helots
119 6 |          such tales are well known.~Megillus. To be sure.~Athenian. But
120 6 |        others do just the opposite.~Megillus. True.~Cleinias. Then what
121 6 |             place. As to the walls, Megillus, I agree with Sparta in
122 6 |            your parts of the world, Megillus and Cleinias, as I should
123 6 |          For with you, Cleinias and Megillus, the common tables of men
124 7 |    importance, and I hope that you, Megillus, will help to decide between
125 7 |         Cleinias. You need not, ask Megillus, Stranger, which of us has
126 7 |          are unworthy of freemen, O Megillus and Cleinias.~I have now
127 7 |            little share of reality.~Megillus. You have a low opinion
128 7 |            Stranger.~Athenian. Nay, Megillus, be not amazed, but forgive
129 7 |       middle course, in Lacedaemon, Megillus—letting the girls share
130 7 |         made the whole state happy.~Megillus. What shall we do, Cleinias?
131 7 |            the work of legislation.~Megillus. Very true.~Athenian. Then
132 7 |            Cleinias, and to you and Megillus, who are my partners in
133 7 |         they do.~Athenian. Just so, Megillus and Cleinias; and I maintain
134 8 |             What do you say, friend Megillus?~Megillus. I think, Stranger,
135 8 |           you say, friend Megillus?~Megillus. I think, Stranger, that
136 8 |             us proceed to the laws.~Megillus. Very good.~Athenian. Upon
137 8 |           of the utmost difficulty.~Megillus. What do you mean?~Athenian.
138 8 |           entirely with their will.~Megillus. When do you mean?~Athenian.
139 8 |          the minds of most of them.~Megillus. Very true.~Athenian. Does
140 8 |             pleasures of that sort?~Megillus. What word?~Athenian. The
141 8 |             the penalty of his sin.~Megillus. You are very right in saying
142 8 |          the law which he can make.~Megillus. Yes; but will he ever succeed
143 8 |           things is very difficult.~Megillus. Very true.~Athenian. Shall
144 8 |        rightly or wrongly indulged.~Megillus. I, for my part, Stranger,
145 8 |          opinion.~Cleinias. I will, Megillus, when an opportunity offers;
146 8 |           to proceed with his laws.~Megillus. Very good.~Athenian. We
147 9 |             you, Cleinias, and you, Megillus, say to me—Well, Stranger,
148 9 |            for I deny, Cleinias and Megillus, that he who harms another
149 10|    excellent.~Athenian. Quite true, Megillus and Cleinias, but I am afraid
150 10|            the utmost of his power.~Megillus. Stranger, I like what Cleinias
151 10|           is saying.~Athenian. Yes, Megillus, and we should do as he
152 10|             the legislator himself?~Megillus. There is no more proper
153 10|          madman.~Athenian. And now, Megillus and Cleinias, let us offer
154 10|            of the Gods. And do you, Megillus and Cleinias, answer for
155 11|            This is what we must do, Megillus and Cleinias, in the best
156 12|             an insecure foundation.~Megillus. I approve of your suggestion,
157 12|          not able to tell. Can you, Megillus, and you, Cleinias, say
158 12|             Wherefore, Cleinias and Megillus, let us consider whether
159 12|          and explained.~Athenian. O Megillus and Cleinias, about these
160 12|            virtue which is in them.~Megillus. Dear Cleinias, after all
161 12|   undertaking.~Cleinias. Very true, Megillus; and you must join with
162 12|           with me in detaining him.~Megillus. I will.~THE END~     >