My dear Homer, if you are really only once removed from…
““My dear Homer, if you are really only once removed from the truth, with reference to virtue, instead of being twice removed and the manufacturer of a phantom, according to our definition of an imitator, and if you need to be able to distinguish between the pursuits which make men better or worse, in private and in public, tell us what city owes a better constitution to you, as Lacedaemon owes hers to Lycurgus, and as many cities, great and small, owe theirs to many other legislators? What state attributes to you the benefits derived from a good code of laws? Italy and Sicily recognize Charondas in this capacity, and we solon. But what state recognizes you.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Plato asks which city benefits most from a lawgiver’s virtue, contrasting true legislators with mere imitators.
In simple terms: Who truly benefits from a virtuous lawgiver?
Key Takeaway
Identify genuine lawgivers and their impact.
Themes
politics
virtue
law
leadership
city-state
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
critical
Type
philosophical
historical
political
When to use this quote
- government reform
- civic education
- legal drafting
- public policy
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
philosophy
political theory
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria define a true lawgiver?
- How can modern societies emulate ancient virtues?
A Different Perspective
The concept of a perfect lawgiver is idealized and may ignore practical constraints.