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[6]
Do you know what sort of things are called just?
The things that the laws command.
Consequently those who do what the laws command do both what is just and what they must do?
Of course.
And are not they who do what is just, just men?
I think so.
Do you think then, that any obey the laws without knowing what the laws command?
I do not.
And knowing what they must do, do you suppose that any think they must not do it?
I don’t think so.
Do you know of any who do, not what they think they must do, but something else?
I do not.
Consequently those who know what is lawful concerning men do what is just?
Certainly.
But are not they who do what is just, just men?
Exactly.
At last, then, we may rightly define just men as those who know best what is just concerning men?
I think so.
And what of Wisdom?
Do you know what sort of things are called just?
The things that the laws command.
Consequently those who do what the laws command do both what is just and what they must do?
Of course.
And are not they who do what is just, just men?
I think so.
Do you think then, that any obey the laws without knowing what the laws command?
I do not.
And knowing what they must do, do you suppose that any think they must not do it?
I don’t think so.
Do you know of any who do, not what they think they must do, but something else?
I do not.
Consequently those who know what is lawful concerning men do what is just?
Certainly.
But are not they who do what is just, just men?
Exactly.
At last, then, we may rightly define just men as those who know best what is just concerning men?
I think so.
And what of Wisdom?
Memorabilia. Xenophon. Edgar Carew Marchant (Translator). Cambridge, MA. 1923.
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