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.

    557/570 (page 549)
    I have it however in my power to advise you ^ and the co¬ lonists^ what Hesiod through me, as the relater, says, To fancy’s easy, to think deep is hard. For if they fancy that a city can he ever well put into order by the mere laying down of any laws whatever, without some person^ in authority having the care of the daily manner of living in the city, in order that it may be, in the case both of slaves and of free-born, temperate and manly, they do not think cor¬ rectly. But if there are persons worthy of this very office, this should take place. But if there is a need of some one to instruct them, I think there are not amongst you either a per¬ son to teach, or those to be taught; it remains then for you to pray to the gods.^. . . . For nearly in this way have cities in former times been put into order, and subsequently well ad¬ ministered,'^ during the concurrence of matters of great mo¬ ment, which have happened amidst war and other transac¬ tions, when a man shall have arisen on such occasions, with bodily and mental qualifications, and in the possession of large powers. But previously it is meet to feel a readiness (to act), and it is necessary to think deeply upon what I am saying, and not to behave sillily through thinking that you can do any thing off-hand. Be good fortune thine. EPISTLE XII.5 PLATO TO ARCHYTAS OF TARENTUM—PROSPERITY. How wonderfully delighted did we receive the memorials which came from you, and admired in the greatest possible ^^ The words between the numerals are omitted by Taylor, although found in Ficinus. 2 Six MSS. read riva, in lieu of ri, answering to “ aliquis ” in Ficinus. ® Here is evidently a lacuna. The sense of the missing words was to this effect, “ to send some divine teacher, and disciples with minds will¬ ing to be taught.” * In lieu of (^Krjaav, five MSS. offer <^Ki(r9r]<rav, similar to “ excultae sunt ” in Ficinus. ® The genuineness of this letter has been contested, as we learn from all the MSS.