library_books Bookstacks

Section 137

SOCRATES. "Now, what do we call the art by which people correctly punish the lawless and wicked in cities? Isn't it the art of judging, or justice?" "Yes, it is justice." "And is the art by which we distinguish the good from the bad anything other than justice?" "No, it is the same." "And we agreed that the same art that applies to one applies to many. So the art by which a man manages a city well—which we call the art of a statesman or a king—is the same art by which a man manages his own household well, which we call the art of a household manager or master." "It seems so." "Then the art of a king, a statesman, a master, a household manager, and a judge are all the same art?" "Yes." "So is it fitting for the philosopher to be second-rate in these matters? If a judge is passing a sentence, should the philosopher stand by and offer only second-best advice, or should he be the one to give the best advice?" "He should give the best advice." "And what if a king or a statesman is deliberating on matters of state? Is it appropriate for the philosopher to be second-best in these matters, or should he be the expert?" "He should be the expert, Socrates." "Therefore, my friend, philosophy is far from being a matter of knowing a little about everything or being a pentathlete who is second-best. In the most important matters—those concerning justice and the management of cities and households—the philosopher must not be second to anyone. He must be the true expert, the one who possesses the supreme art."