STATESMAN [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

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STATESMAN [Electronic resources] - نسخه متنی

by Plato; translated by: Benjamin Jowett

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Y. Soc.

To what do you refer?
Str.

To the class of vessels, as they are comprehensively termed,
which are constructed for the preservation of things moist and dry, of
things prepared in the fire or out of the fire; this is a very large
class, and has, if I am not mistaken, literally nothing to do with the
royal art of which we are in search.

Y. Soc.

Certainly not.

Str.

There is also a third class of possessions to be noted,
different from these and very extensive, moving or resting on land
or water, honourable and also dishonourable.

The whole of this class
has one name, because it is intended to be sat upon, being always a
seat for something.

Y. Soc.

What is it?
Str.

A vehicle, which is certainly not the work of the Statesman,
but of the carpenter, potter, and coppersmith.

Y. Soc.

I understand.

Str.

And is there not a fourth class which is again different, and
in which most of the things formerly mentioned are contained-every
kind of dress, most sorts of arms, walls and enclosures, whether of
earth or stone, and ten thousand other thing? all of which being
made for the sake of defence, may be truly called defences, and are
for the most part to be regarded as the work of the builder or of
the weaver, rather than of the Statesman.

Y. Soc.

CertainlY.
Str.

Shall we add a fifth class, of ornamentation and drawing, and
of the imitations produced, by drawing and music, which are designed
for amusement only, and may be fairly comprehended under one name?
Y. Soc.

What is it?
Str.

Plaything is the name.

Y. Soc.

CertainlY.
Str.

That one name may be fitly predicated of all of them, for
none of these things have a serious purpose-amusement is their sole
aim.

Y. Soc.

That again I understand.

Str.

Then there is a class which provides materials for all these,
out of which and in which the arts already mentioned fabricate their
works;-this manifold class, I say, which is the creation and offspring
of many other arts, may I not rank sixth?
Y. Soc.

What do you mean?
Str.

I am referring to gold, silver, and other metals, and all
that wood-cutting and shearing of every sort provides for the art of
carpentry and plaiting; and there is the process of barking and
stripping the cuticle of plants, and the currier's art, which strips
off the skins of animals, and other similar arts which manufacture
corks and papyri and cords, and provide for the manufacture of
composite species out of simple kinds-the whole class may be termed
the primitive and simple possession of man, and with this the kingly
science has no concern at all.

Y. Soc.

True.

Str.

The provision of food and of all other things which mingle
their particles with the particles of the human body; and minister
to the body, will form a seventh class, which may be called by the
general term of nourishment, unless you have any better name to offer.

This, however, appertains rather to the husbandman, huntsman, trainer,
doctor, cook, and is not to be assigned to the Statesman's art.

Y. Soc.

Certainly not.

Str.

These seven classes include nearly every description of
property, with the exception of tame animals.

Consider;-there was
the original material, which ought to have been placed first; next
come instruments, vessels, vehicles, defences, playthings,
nourishment; small things, which may be-included under one of these-as
for example, coins, seals and stamps, are omitted, for they have not
in them the character of any larger kind which includes them; but some
of them may, with a little forcing, be placed among ornaments, and
others may be made to harmonize with the class of implements.

The
art of herding, which has been already divided into parts, will
include all property in tame animals except slaves.

Y. Soc.

Very true.

Str.

The class of slaves and ministers only remains, and I suspect
that in this the real aspirants for the throne, who are the rivals
of the king in the formation of the political web, will be discovered;
just as spinners, carders, and the rest of them, were the rivals of
the weaver.

All the others, who were termed co-operators, have been
got rid of among the occupations already mentioned, and separated from
the royal and political science.

Y. Soc.

I agree.

Str.

Let us go a little nearer, in order that we may be more certain
of the complexion of this remaining class.

Y. Soc.

Let us do so.

Str.

We shall find from our present point of view that the
greatest servants are in a case and condition which is the reverse
of what we anticipated.

Y. Soc.

Who are they?
Str.

Those who have been purchased, and have so become
possessions; these are unmistakably slaves, and certainly do not claim
royal science.

Y. Soc.

Certainly not.

Str.

Again, freemen who of their own accord become the servants of
the other classes in a State, and who exchange and equalise the
products of husbandry and the other arts, some sitting in the
market-place, others going from city to city by land or sea, and
giving money in exchange for money or for other productions-the
money-changer, the merchant, the ship-owner, the retailer, will not
put in any claim to statecraft or politics?
Y. Soc.

No; unless, indeed, to the politics of commerce.

Str.

But surely men whom we see acting as hirelings and serfs, and
too happy to turn their hand to anything, will not profess to share in
royal science?
Y. Soc.

Certainly not.

Str.

But what would you say of some other serviceable officials?
Y. Soc.

Who are they, and what services do they perform?
Str.

There are heralds, and scribes perfected by practice, and
divers others who have great skill in various sorts of business
connected with the government of states-what shall we call them?
Y. Soc.

They are the officials, and servants of the rulers, as you
just now called them, but not themselves rulers.

Str.

There may be something strange in any servant pretending to
be a ruler, and yet I do not think that I could have been dreaming
when I imagined that the principal claimants to political science
would be found somewhere in this neighbourhood.

Y. Soc.

Very true.

Str.

Well, let us draw nearer, and try the claims of some who have
not yet been tested; in the first place, there are diviners, who
have a portion of servile or ministerial science, and are thought to
be the interpreters of the gods to men.

Y. Soc.

True.

Str.

There is also the priestly class, who, as the law declares,
know how to give the gods gifts from men in the form of sacrifices
which are acceptable to them, and to ask on our behalf blessings in
return from them.

Now both these are branches of the servile or
ministerial art.

Y. Soc.

Yes, clearlY.
Str.

And here I think that we seem to be getting on the right track;
for the priest and the diviner are swollen with pride and prerogative,
and they create an awful impression of themselves by the magnitude
of their enterprises; in Egypt, the king himself is not allowed to
reign, unless he have priestly powers, and if he should be of
another class and has thrust himself in, he must get enrolled in the
priesthood.

In many parts of Hellas, the duty of offering the most
solemn propitiatory sacrifices is assigned to the highest
magistracies, and here, at Athens, the most solemn and national of the
ancient sacrifices are supposed to be celebrated by him who has been
chosen by lot to be the King Archon.

Y. Soc.

PreciselY.
Str.

But who are these other kings and priests elected by lot who
now come into view followed by their retainers and a vast throng, as
the former class disappears and the scene changes?
Y. Soc.

Whom can you mean?
Str.

They are a strange crew.

Y. Soc.

Why strange?
Str.

A minute ago I thought that they were animals of every tribe;
for many of them are like lions and centaurs, and many more like
satyrs and such weak and shifty creatures;-Protean shapes quickly
changing into one another's forms and natures; and now, Socrates, I
begin to see who they are.

Y. Soc.

Who are they? You seem to be gazing on some strange vision.

Str.

Yes; every one looks strange when you do not know him; and just
now I myself fell into this mistake-at first sight, coming suddenly
upon him, I did not recognize the politician and his troop.

Y. Soc.

Who is he?

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