“Why, Phileleutheros,” I said, “are you not a democrat?”
“Of course I am.”
“And in a democracy do not the people rule?”
“I suppose so.”
“By saying what they wish to have done, or otherwise?”
“By saying so, I suppose.”
“And if they are not allowed to say what they wish, they are not ruling, and it is not a democracy?”
“Perhaps.”
“Then Balphurios, who asks the people what they wish, is a democratic man; and Askoïthios,
who does not ask them, is not a democratic man; nor are you one, apparently, O Phileleutheros.”