ATHENIAN: Then now, my friend, let us observe what will happen in the constitution of out intended state. In the first place, you will acknowledge that those who are duly appointed to magisterial power, and their families, should severally have given satisfactory proof of what they are, from youth upward until the time of election; in the next place, those who are to elect should have been trained in habits of law, and be well educated, that they may have a right judgment, and may be able to select or reject men whom they approve or disapprove, as they are worthy of either. But how can we imagine that those who are brought together for the first time, and are strangers to one another, and also uneducated, will avoid making mistakes in the choice of magistrates?
CLEINIAS: Impossible.
ATHENIAN: The matter is serious, and excuses will not serve the turn. I will tell you, then, what you and I will have to do, since you, as you tell me, with nine others, have offered to settle the new state on behalf of the people of Crete, and I am to help you by the invention of the present romance. I certainly should not like to leave the tale wandering all over the world without a head;—a headless monster is such a hideous thing.
CLEINIAS: Excellent, Stranger.
ATHENIAN: Yes; and I will be as good as my word.
CLEINIAS: Let us by all means do as you propose.
ATHENIAN: That we will, by the grace of God, if old age will only permit us.
CLEINIAS: But God will be gracious.
ATHENIAN: Yes; and under his guidance let us consider a further point.
CLEINIAS: What is it?