[291a]
Stranger
We must, then, examine these elected kings and priests and their assistants, and also another very large crowd of people which has just come in sight now that the others are out of the way.Younger Socrates
Who are these people?Stranger
A very queer lot.Younger Socrates
How so?Stranger
They are of very mixed race at least they seem so now, when I can just see them. For many of them are like lions and centaurs and other fierce creatures, [291b] and very many are like satyrs and the weak and cunning beasts; and they make quick exchanges of forms and qualities with one another. Ah, but now, Socrates, I think I have just made out who they are.Younger Socrates
Tell me; for you seem to have caught sight of something strange.Stranger
Yes, for ignorance makes things seem strange to everybody. That was what happened to me just now; when I suddenly caught sight of them I did not recognize the troop of those who busy themselves [291c] with the affairs of the state.Younger Socrates
What troop?Stranger
That which of all the sophists is the greatest charlatan and most practised in charlatanry. This, although it is a hard thing to do, must be separated from the band of really statesmanlike and kingly men, if we are to get a clear view of the object of our search.Younger Socrates
But we certainly cannot give that up.Stranger
No, of course not. I agree to that. And now please answer a question.Younger Socrates
What is it?Stranger
We agree that monarchy is one of the forms [291d] of government, do we not?Younger Socrates
Yes.Stranger
And after monarchy one might, I should say, mention the rule of the few.Younger Socrates
Yes, of course.Stranger
And a third form of government is the rule of the multitude, called democracy, is it not?Younger Socrates
Yes, certainly.Stranger
Do not these three become after a fashion five, producing out of themselves two additional names?Younger Socrates
What names? [291e] Stranger
People nowadays are likely to take into consideration enforced subjection and voluntary obedience, poverty and wealth, law and lawlessness as they occur in governments, and so they divide two of the forms we mentioned, giving to the two aspects of monarchy the two names tyranny and royalty.Younger Socrates
Certainly.Stranger
And the state that is ruled by the few is called, as the case may be, aristocracy or oligarchy.Younger Socrates
To be sure.Stranger
In the case of democracy, however,
We must, then, examine these elected kings and priests and their assistants, and also another very large crowd of people which has just come in sight now that the others are out of the way.Younger Socrates
Who are these people?Stranger
A very queer lot.Younger Socrates
How so?Stranger
They are of very mixed race at least they seem so now, when I can just see them. For many of them are like lions and centaurs and other fierce creatures, [291b] and very many are like satyrs and the weak and cunning beasts; and they make quick exchanges of forms and qualities with one another. Ah, but now, Socrates, I think I have just made out who they are.Younger Socrates
Tell me; for you seem to have caught sight of something strange.Stranger
Yes, for ignorance makes things seem strange to everybody. That was what happened to me just now; when I suddenly caught sight of them I did not recognize the troop of those who busy themselves [291c] with the affairs of the state.Younger Socrates
What troop?Stranger
That which of all the sophists is the greatest charlatan and most practised in charlatanry. This, although it is a hard thing to do, must be separated from the band of really statesmanlike and kingly men, if we are to get a clear view of the object of our search.Younger Socrates
But we certainly cannot give that up.Stranger
No, of course not. I agree to that. And now please answer a question.Younger Socrates
What is it?Stranger
We agree that monarchy is one of the forms [291d] of government, do we not?Younger Socrates
Yes.Stranger
And after monarchy one might, I should say, mention the rule of the few.Younger Socrates
Yes, of course.Stranger
And a third form of government is the rule of the multitude, called democracy, is it not?Younger Socrates
Yes, certainly.Stranger
Do not these three become after a fashion five, producing out of themselves two additional names?Younger Socrates
What names? [291e] Stranger
People nowadays are likely to take into consideration enforced subjection and voluntary obedience, poverty and wealth, law and lawlessness as they occur in governments, and so they divide two of the forms we mentioned, giving to the two aspects of monarchy the two names tyranny and royalty.Younger Socrates
Certainly.Stranger
And the state that is ruled by the few is called, as the case may be, aristocracy or oligarchy.Younger Socrates
To be sure.Stranger
In the case of democracy, however,
