Volume 4

The works of Plato. A new and literal version, chiefly from the text of Stallbaum ... By Henry Cary [vol. II, Henry Davis, vols. III-VI, George Burges] / [Plato].

  • Plato
Date:
1848-1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The works of Plato. A new and literal version, chiefly from the text of Stallbaum ... By Henry Cary [vol. II, Henry Davis, vols. III-VI, George Burges] / [Plato]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    513/570 (page 505)
    ever, all the hope would be fulfilled of the same persons be¬ coming philosophers and rulers of mighty states. Such then and many others of a like kind were his exhortations. But a fear still possessed my mind, as to how, perchance, the con¬ duct of the young men would turn out; for the passions of such persons are hasty, and are often borne along in a di¬ rection contrary to themselves. I knew, however, that Dion was naturally of a steady disposition and of a moderate age. Hence, while I was considering and doubting ^ whether I ought to go, or how,^ the balance inclined ^ that I ought (to go). For if perchance any one should attempt to give effect to my ideas upon laws and a form of government, I ought to attempt it now. For by persuading only one person, I should work out every good. With these ideas and confidence, and not from what some imagined, I set sail from home; feeling for myself the greatest shame, lest I should seem to myself to be altogether mere talk,^ and never willing to lay hold of any thing to be done ; and run the risk of betraying first the hospitality and friendship of Dion, exposed in reality to no small dangers; and should he suffer aught,or, being driven out by Dionysius and his other enemies, fly to us, and, making an inquiry,^ say—‘‘I am come to you, Plato, an exile; but I am neither in want of cavalry nor of heavy-armed soldiers to ward off my enemies, but of words and persuasion; by which I know you are especially able to turn young persons to what is good and just, and to place them on each occasion on terms of friendship and fellowship with each other; through the want of which on your part I have now left Syracuse, and am present here. What relates to myself indeed will bring upon you less disgrace ; but the philosophy, which you are always praising, and which you ^^ Ficinus has “ utrum eundum parendumque foret, necne,” answer¬ ing to TTOTtpov sir] TTopevTsov Kal vTcaKovarsov r] ov in Aid., which, as re¬ gards J7 ov, is preferable here to rj ttCjq. For the question is not about the manner of going, but of going or not. 2 The verb eppexpe is here used impersonally. ® Compare Eurip. Here. F. Ill, where old men are called £7rea fiovov, “ words merely.” ^ In ei TrdOoi ri is the usual euphemism for “ should he perish.” ^ I cannot understand dvepoiro, nor could Ficinus, who has omitted it; unless it refers to the question feigned to be put subsequently by Dionysius.