Dialogues

play, whereby we beguile the way, as I was saying when we first set out on our journey.379 Megillus Certainly; and we must find out why this was. Athenian What laws are more worthy of our attention than those which have regulated such cities? or what settlements of states are greater or more famous? Megillus I know of none. Athenian Can we doubt that your ancestors intended these institutions not only for the protection of Peloponnesus, but of all the Hellenes, in case they were attacked by the barbarian? For the inhabitants of the region about Ilium, when they provoked by their insolence the Trojan war, relied upon the power of the Assyrians and the Empire of Ninus, which still existed and had a great prestige; the people of those days fearing the united Assyrian Empire just as we now fear the Great King. And the second capture of Troy was a serious offence against them, because Troy was a portion of the Assyrian Empire. To meet the danger the single army was distributed between three cities by the royal brothers, sons of Heracles⁠—a fair device, as it seemed, and a far better arrangement than the expedition against Troy. For, firstly, the people of that day had, as they thought, in the Heraclidae better leaders than the Pelopidae; in the next place, they considered that their army was superior in valour to that which went against Troy; for, although the latter conquered the Trojans, they were themselves conquered by the Heraclidae⁠—Achaeans by Dorians. May we not suppose that this was the intention with which the men of those days framed the constitutions of their states? Megillus Quite true. Athenian And would not men who had shared with one another many dangers, and were governed by a single race of royal brothers, and had taken the advice of oracles, and in particular of the Delphian Apollo, be likely to think that such states would be firmly and lastingly established? Megillus Of course they would. Athenian Yet these institutions, of which such great expectations were entertained, seem to have all rapidly vanished away; with the exception, as I was saying, of that small part of them which existed in your land. And this third part has never to this day ceased warring against the two others; whereas, if the original idea had been carried out, and they had agreed to be one, their power would have been invincible in war. Megillus No doubt. Athenian But what was the ruin of this glorious confederacy? Here is a subject well worthy of consideration. Megillus Certainly, no one will ever find more striking instances of laws or governments being the salvation or destruction of great and noble interests, than are here presented to his view. Athenian Then now we seem to have happily arrived at a real and important question. Megillus Very true. Athenian Did you never remark, sage friend, that all men, and we ourselves at this moment, often fancy that they see some beautiful thing which might have effected wonders if anyone had only known how to make a right use of it in some way; and yet this mode of looking at things may turn out after all to be a mistake, and not according to nature, either in our own case or in any other? Megillus To what are you referring, and what do you mean? Athenian I was thinking of my own admiration of the aforesaid Heracleid expedition, which was so noble, and might have had such wonderful results for the Hellenes, if only rightly used; and I was just laughing at myself. Megillus But were you not right and wise in speaking as you did, and we in assenting to you? Athenian Perhaps; and yet I cannot help observing that anyone who sees anything great or powerful, immediately has the feeling that⁠—“If the owner only knew how to use his great and noble possession, how happy would he be, and what great results would he achieve!” Megillus And would he not be justified? Athenian Reflect; in what point of view does this sort of praise appear just: First, in reference to the question in hand:⁠—If the then commanders had known how to arrange their army properly, how would they have attained success? Would not this have been the way? They would have bound them all firmly together and preserved them forever, giving them freedom and dominion at pleasure, combined with the power of doing in the whole world, Hellenic and barbarian, whatever they and their descendants desired. What other aim would they have had? Megillus Very good. Athenian Suppose anyone were in the same way to express his admiration at the sight of great wealth or family honour, or the like, he would praise them under the idea that through them he would attain either all or the greater and chief part of what he desires. Megillus He would. Athenian Well, now, and does not the argument show that there is one common desire of all mankind? Megillus What is it? Athenian The desire which a man has, that all things, if possible⁠—at any rate, things human⁠—may come to pass in accordance with his soul’s desire. Megillus Certainly. Athenian And having this desire always, and at every time of life, in youth, in manhood, in age, he cannot help always praying for the fulfilment of it. Megillus No doubt. Athenian And we join in the prayers of our friends, and ask for them what they ask for themselves. Megillus We do. Athenian Dear is the son to the father⁠—the younger to the elder. Megillus Of course. Athenian And yet the son often prays to obtain things which the father prays that he may not obtain. Megillus When the son is young and foolish, you mean? Athenian Yes; or when the father, in the dotage of age or the heat of youth, having no sense of right and justice, prays with fervour, under the influence of feelings akin to those of Theseus when he cursed the unfortunate Hippolytus, do you imagine that the son, having a sense of right and justice, will join in his father’s prayers? Megillus I understand you