[461b]
sons more helpful still. But
this child will be born in darkness and conceived in foul
incontinence.” “Right,” he said.
“And the same rule will apply,” I said, “if
any of those still within the age of procreation goes in to a woman of that
age with whom the ruler has not paired him. We shall say that he is imposing
on the state a base-born, uncertified, and unhallowed child.”
“Most rightly,” he said. “But when, I take it,
the men and the women have passed the age of lawful procreation, we shall
leave the men free to form such relations
Plato. Plato in Twelve Volumes, Vols. 5 & 6 translated by Paul Shorey. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1969.
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