[565b]
in that
sense.” “And so, I suppose, those who are thus plundered
are compelled to defend themselves by speeches in the assembly and any
action in their power.” “Of course.”
“And thereupon the charge is brought against them by the other
party, though they may have no revolutionary designs, that they are plotting
against the people, and it is said that they are oligarchs.1”
“Surely.” “And then finally, when they see the
people, not of its own will2 but through
misapprehension,3 and being misled
1 i.e. reactionaries. Cf. on 562 D, p. 306, note b, Aeschines iii. 168, and 566 Cμισόδημος. The whole passage perhaps illustrates the “disharmony” between Plato's upperclass sympathies and his liberal philosophy.
2 So the Attic orators frequently say that a popular jury was deceived. Cf. also Aristoph.Acharn. 515-516.
3 Aristotle, Eth. Nic. 1110 a 1, in his discussion of voluntary and involuntary acts, says things done under compulsion or through misapprehension (δι᾽ ἄγνοιαν) are involuntary.
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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