[564a]
in plants, in animal bodies,1 and most especially in political societies.”
“Probably,” he said. “And so the probable
outcome of too much freedom is only too much slavery in the individual and
the state.” “Yes, that is probable.”
“Probably, then, tyranny develops out of no other
constitution2 than democracy—from
the height of liberty, I take it, the fiercest extreme of
servitude.” “That is reasonable,” he said.
“That, however, I believe, was not your question,3 but what identical4 malady
1 For the generalization Cf. Symp. 188 A-B.
2 Cf. 565 D. The slight exaggeration of the expression is solemnly treated by ApeIt as a case of logical false conversion in Plato.
3 Plato keeps to the point. Cf. on 531 C, p. 193, note i.
4 ταὐτόν implies the concept. Cf. Parmen. 130 D, Phileb. 34 E, 13 B, Soph. 253 D. Cf. also Tim. 83 C, Meno 72 C, Rep. 339 A.
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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