THE REPUBLIC OF PLATO - Studyplace

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that we have discovered its origin in desires which are the most
fruitful source of evils both to individuals and to states. l
Quite true.
This will mean a considerable addition to our community-a
whole army, to go out to battle with any invader, in defence of all
this property and of the citizens we have been describing.
Why so Can't they defend themselves
Not if the principle was right, which we all accepted in framing
our society. You remember we agreed that no one man can practise
many trades or arts satisfactorily.
True.
Well, is not the conduct of war an art, quite as important as
shoemaking
Yes.
But we would not alloVi our shoemaker to try to be also a farmer
ot weaver or builder, because we wanted our shoes well made. We
gave each man one trade, for which he was naturally fitted; he
would do good work, if he confined himself to that all his life,
never letting the right moment slip by. Now in no form of work
is efficiency so important as in war; and fighting is not so easy a
business that a man can follow another trade, such as farming or
shoemaking, and also be an efficient soldier. Why, even a game
like draughts or dice must be studied from childhood; no one can
become a fine player in his spare moments. Just taking up a shield
or other weapon will not make a man capable of fighting that very
day in any sort of warfare, any more than taking up a tool or implement
of some kind will make a man a craftsman or an athlete,
if he does not understand its use and has never been properly
trained to handle it.
No; if that were so, tools would indeed be worth having.
These guardians of our state, then, inasmuch as their work is the
most important of all, will need the most complete freedom from
other occupations and the greatest amount of skill and practice.
I quite agree.
And also a native aptitude for their calling.
Certainly.
1 'All wars are made for the sake of getting money,' Phaedo 66 Co