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Section 314

COMRADE. I think law is a resolution or decree of the state.

SOCRATES. You are saying, it seems, that law is a political opinion.

COMRADE. I am.

SOCRATES. Perhaps you are right; but let us examine it this way. Do you call some people wise?

COMRADE. Yes.

SOCRATES. And the wise are wise by wisdom, just as the just are just by justice?

COMRADE. Certainly.

SOCRATES. And the lawful are lawful by law, while the lawless are lawless by lawlessness?

COMRADE. Yes.

SOCRATES. And the lawful are good, while the lawless are bad?

COMRADE. Very true.

SOCRATES. So law, and being lawful, is a good thing, while lawlessness is a bad thing?

COMRADE. That is so.

SOCRATES. Now, is a bad resolution a good thing or a bad thing?

COMRADE. A bad thing, surely.

SOCRATES. But we agreed that law is a good thing. Therefore, a bad resolution cannot be a law, even if it is a resolution of the state.

COMRADE. I agree.

SOCRATES. Therefore, it is incorrect to say simply that law is a resolution of the state, because a bad resolution is not a law. It must be a good resolution.

COMRADE. That seems right.

SOCRATES. And what is a good resolution? Is it not a true opinion?

COMRADE. Yes.

SOCRATES. And a true opinion is the discovery of what is, or reality.

COMRADE. It is.

SOCRATES. So law wishes to be the discovery of what is. When those who make resolutions fail to discover what is, they fail to make a true law, but only an imitation of law.