Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/431

401 THE SHIP OF STATE 401

THE SHIP OF STATE

THE TRUE PHILOSOPHER From the RepubUc, Book VI. 488-492.

Socrates. Adeimantus.

Socrates. Imagine, then, a fleet or a sbip in which there is a captain ^ who is taller and stronger than any of the crew, but he is a little deaf and has a similar infirmity in sight, and his knowledge of naΛ''igation is not much better. The sailors are quarrelling with one another about the steering — every one is of opin- ion that he has a right to steer, though he has never learned the art of navigation and cannot tell who taught him or when he learned, and will further assert that it cannot be taught, and they are ready to cut in pieces any one who says the contrary. They throng about the captain, begging and praying him to com- mit the helm to them ; and if at any time they do not prevail, but others are preferred to them, they kill the others or throw them overboard, and having first chained up the noble captain's senses with drink or some narcotic drug, they mutiny and take possession of the ship and make free with the stores ; thus, eat- ing and drinking, they proceed on their voyage in such manner as might be expected of them. Him who is their partisan and cleverly aids them in their plot for getting the ship out of the captain's hands

^ A more accurate translation would be ship-owner, -who of course has the right to appoint the commander of his ship. He corresponds to the common people of Athens, who have the right to appoint the ruler. The sailors are the politicians. Tlie steering is the command of the ship. The philosopher is able to command, but is not skilled in persuading the people to allow him to rule ; so he is called a star- gazer and visionary by the politicians.