Page:Laws (vol 1 of 2) (Bury, 1926).pdf/41

Rh CLIN. A judge and lawgiver of that kind would be by far the best.

ATH. But mark this: his aim, in the laws he enacted for them, would be the opposite of war.

CLIN. That is true.

ATH. And what of him who brings the State into harmony? In ordering its life would he have regard to external warfare rather than to the internal war, whenever it occurs, which goes by the name of "civil" strife? For this is a war as to which it would be the desire of every man that, if possible, it should never occur in his own State, and that, if it did occur, it should come to as speedy an end as possible.

CLIN. Evidently he would have regard to civil war.

ATH. And would anyone prefer that the citizens should be obliged to devote their attention to external enemies after internal concord had been secured by the destruction of one section and the victory of their opponents rather than after the establishment of friendship and peace by terms of conciliation?

CLIN. Everyone would prefer the latter alternative for his own State rather than the former.

ATH. And would not the lawgiver do the same?

CLIN. Of course.

ATH. Would not every lawgiver in all his legislation aim at the highest good?

CLIN. Assuredly.

ATH. The highest good, however, is neither war nor civil strife—which things we should pray rather to be saved from—but peace one with another and friendly feeling. Moreover, it would seem that the 15