‘And for the soldier—is it more beautiful in him to die fighting for his country, or to run away and live?’
‘To die, of course. I would gladly do that, if that is all.’
‘And for the statesman—is it not more beautiful in him to endeavour to persuade the people to make wise laws, and to induce them to do wise things, though he knows they will not love him for it, but perhaps turn on him, and thrust him from his power, and destroy him? Or is it better to let them do those foolish things he knows they love, and will admire him for advising, and so perhaps keep him a long time in power?’
‘By Herakles! the first seems to me to be more beautiful.’
‘And these things that seem beautiful, are they not good things too to do?’
‘They must be good as well as beautiful. And if I had the power I would make the people do what is wise and beautiful.’
‘Yet you have said the statesman who would rather lose his power than persuade the people to the worse course was good.’
‘I know I did.’
‘Then the beautiful and the good are one?’
‘It seems so, Sokrates.’