‘Not I, forsooth, my boy; all citizens are free and equal by the laws of Athens.’
‘Dost thou not make their laws?’
‘No; not so, indeed. They make their laws themselves. I do but counsel them, and, as long as they permit, I see the laws are carried out, and those are brought to trial and to punishment who may transgress them.’
‘But what dost thou mean by laws, Perikles?’
‘Whatsoever the people, met together in their Assembly, ordain, that we all must do.’
‘Do! whether good or bad?’
‘No; good, of course. Dost thou suppose the people would decree that we should do the bad?’
‘Has every state its own assembly, then?’
‘No; thou knowest well in Sparta, and in other states, a few great ones make the laws, and not the people. Hast thou not yet learnt that at school?’
‘Yes; I remember now. But what I want to know is this: supposing a few great ones decree what all must do, wouldst thou call that a law?’