the memorabilia(纪念品)-第30节
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have not yet fully examined them。 But come； I am sure that you have
studied the defences of the country； at all events； and you know exactly
how many forts and outposts are serviceable＇11＇ and how many are not；
you can tell us which garrisons are strong enough and which defective；
and you are prepared to throw in the weight of your advice in favour of
increasing the serviceable outposts and sweeping away those that are
superfluous？
＇10＇ See 〃Econ。〃 xi。 1。
＇11＇ Or； 〃advantageously situated。〃 See the author's own tract on
〃Revenues。〃
Glauc。 Yes； sweep them all away； that's my advice； for any good that is
likely to come of them！ Defences indeed！ so maintained that the property
of the rural districts is simply pilfered。
But suppose you sweep away the outposts （he asked）； may not
something worse； think you； be the consequence？ will not sheer
plundering be free to any ruffian who likes？ 。 。 。 But may I ask is this
judgment the result of personal inspection？ have you gone yourself and
examined the defences？ or how do you know that they are all maintained
as you say？
Glauc。 I conjecture that it is so。
Soc。 Well then； until we have got beyond the region of conjecture shall
we defer giving advice on the matter？ （It will be time enough when we
know the facts。）
Possibly it would be better to wait till then （replied Glaucon）。
Soc。 Then there are the mines；＇12＇ but； of course； I am aware that you
have not visited them in person； so as to be able to say why they are less
productive than formerly。
＇12＇ Again the author's tract on 〃Revenues〃 is a comment on the
matter。
Well； no； I have never been there myself （he answered）。
Soc。 No； Heaven help us！ an unhealthy district by all accounts； so that；
when the moment for advice on that topic arrives； you will have an excuse
ready to hand。
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I see you are making fun of me （Glaucon answered）。
Soc。 Well； but here is a point； I am sure； which you have not neglected。
No； you will have thoroughly gone into it； and you can tell us。 For how
long a time could the corn supplies from the country districts support the
city？ how much is requisite for a single year； so that the city may not run
short of this prime necessary； before you are well aware； but on the
contrary you with your full knowledge will be in a position to give advice
on so vital a question； to the aid or may be the salvation of your country？
It is a colossal business this （Glaucon answered）； if I am to be obliged
to give attention to all these details。
Soc。 On the other hand； a man could not even manage his own house
or his estate well； without； in the first place； knowing what he requires；
and； in the second place； taking pains； item by item； to supply his wants。
But since this city consists of more than ten thousand houses； and it is not
easy to pay minute attention to so many all at once； how is it you did not
practise yourself by trying to augment the resources of one at any rate of
theseI mean your own uncle's？ The service would not be thrown away。
Then if your strength suffices in the single case you might take in hand a
larger number； but if you fail to relieve one； how could you possibly hope
to succeed with many？ How absurd for a man； if he cannot carry half a
hundredweight； to attempt to carry a whole！＇13＇
＇13＇ Lit。 〃a single talent's weight 。 。 。 to carry two。〃
Glauc。 Nay； for my part； I am willing enough to assist my uncle's
house； if my uncle would only be persuaded to listen to my advice。
Soc。 Then； when you cannot persuade your uncle； do you imagine you
will be able to make the whole Athenian people； uncle and all； obey you？
Be careful； Glaucon （he added）； lest in your thirst for glory and high
repute you come to the opposite。 Do you not see how dangerous it is for a
man to speak or act beyond the range＇14＇ of his knowledge？ To take the
cases known to you of people whose conversation or conduct clearly
transcends these limits： should you say they gain more praise or more
blame on that account？ Are they admired the rather or despised？ Or； again；
consider those who do know what they say and what they do； and you will
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find； I venture to say； that in every sort of undertaking those who enjoy
repute and admiration belong to the class of those endowed with the
highest knowledge； whilst conversely the people of sinister reputation； the
mean and the contemptible； emanate from some depth of ignorance and
dulness。 If therefore what you thirst for is repute and admiration as a
statesman； try to make sure of one accomplishment： in other words； the
knowledge as far as in you lies of what you wish to do。＇15＇ If； indeed；
with this to distinguish you from the rest of the world you venture to
concern yourself with state affairs； it would not surprise me but that you
might reach the goal of your ambition easily。
＇14＇ Or； 〃to talk of things which he does not know； or to meddle with
them。〃
＇15＇ Or； 〃try as far as possible to achieve one thing； and that is to
know the business which you propose to carry out。〃
VII
Now Charmides；＇1＇ the son of Glaucon； was； as Socrates observed； a
man of mark and influence： a much more powerful person in fact than the
mass of those devoted to politics at that date； but at the same time he was a
man who shrank from approaching the people or busying himself with the
concerns of the state。 Accordingly Socrates addressed him thus：
＇1＇ See last chapter for his relationship to Glaucon （the younger） and
Plato； for a conception of his character； Plato's dialogue 〃Charmides〃；
〃Theag。〃 128 E； 〃Hell。〃 II。 iv。 19； 〃Symp。〃 iv。 31； Grote； 〃Plato；〃 i。
480。
Tell me； Charmides； supposing some one competent to win a victory in
the arena and to receive a crown；＇2＇ whereby he will gain honour himself
and make the land of his fathers more glorious in Hellas；＇3＇ were to refuse
to enter the listswhat kind of person should you set him down to be？
＇2＇ In some conquest （e。g。 of the Olympic games） where the prize is a
mere wreath。
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＇3＇ Cf。 Pindar passim。
Clearly an effeminate and cowardly fellow （he answered）。
Soc。 And what if another man； who had it in him； by devotion to
affairs of state； to exalt his city and win honour himself thereby； were to
shrink and hesitate and hang backwould he too not reasonably be
regarded as a coward？
Possibly （he answered）； but why do you address these questions to
me？
Because （replied Socrates） I think that you； who have this power； do
hesitate to devote yourself to matters which； as being a citizen； if for no
other reason； you are bound to take part in。＇4＇
＇4＇ Or add； 〃and cannot escape from。〃
Charm。 And wherein have you detected in me this power； that you pass
so severe a sentence upon me？
Soc。 I have detected it plainly enough in those gatherings＇5＇ in which
you meet the politicians of the day； when； as I observe； each time they
consult you on any point you have always good advice to offer； and when
they make a blunder you lay your finger on the weak point immediately。
＇5＇ See above； I。 v。 4； here possibly of political club conversation。
Charm。 To discuss and reason in private is one thing； Socrates； to
battle in the throng of the assembly is another。
Soc。 And yet a man who can count； counts every bit as well in a crowd
as when seated alone by himself； and it is the best performer on the harp in
private who carries off the palm of victory in public。
