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Section 315

COMRADE. But Socrates, if law is the discovery of what is, why do we not all use the same laws for the same things? Since what is remains the same everywhere, should not the laws also be the same everywhere, if they have discovered what is?

SOCRATES. The law still wishes to be the discovery of what is, my friend, but those who do not use the same laws have evidently not always discovered what is. Let us look at it this way. Do we believe that the noble is noble, and the base is base? Or do we believe that the noble is base, and the base noble?

COMRADE. We believe the noble is noble, and the base is base.

SOCRATES. And is this believed only here, or everywhere?

COMRADE. Everywhere.

SOCRATES. And do the Persians also hold this view?

COMRADE. Yes, the Persians too.

SOCRATES. Always?

COMRADE. Always.

SOCRATES. And do people everywhere think that things that weigh more are heavier, and things that weigh less are lighter?

COMRADE. Yes, they think the heavier is heavier, and the lighter is lighter.

SOCRATES. And everywhere do they consider the just to be just, and the unjust to be unjust?

COMRADE. Of course.

SOCRATES. So the things that are reality, that actually are, are recognized as existing everywhere. The things that are not, are not recognized.

COMRADE. True.

SOCRATES. Then the law, if it is true, is the same everywhere. It is the discovery of what is. But perhaps you will object, pointing to the differing customs of mankind. For instance, you might say that we do not believe in human sacrifice, but the Carthaginians do, and consider it a holy law. Or that the customs regarding the burial of the dead differ greatly between the Greeks and other nations.