Doubtless.
And then the justice which makes a mistake will turn out to be the reverse of the interest of the stronger. [D]Then justice, according to your argument, is not only obedience to the interest of the stronger but the reverse?
What is that you are saying? he asked.
I am only repeating what you are saying, I believe. But let us consider: Have we not admitted that the rulers may be mistaken about their own interest in what they command, and also that to obey them is justice? Has not that been admitted?
Yes.
[E]Then you must also have acknowledged justice not to be for the interest of the stronger, when the rulers unintentionally command things to be done which are to their own injury. For if, as you say, justice is the obedience which the subject renders to their commands, in that case, O wisest of men, is there any escape from the conclusion that the weaker are commanded to do, not what is for the interest, but what is for the injury of the stronger?
Nothing can be clearer, Socrates, said Polemarchus. 17SOCRATES, CLEITOPHON, POLEMARCHUS, THRASYMACHUS.
[340]Yes, said Cleitophon, interposing, if you are allowed to be his witness.
But there is no need of any witness, said Polemarchus, for Thrasymachus himself acknowledges that rulers may sometimes command what is not for their own interest, and that for subjects to obey them is justice.
Cleitophon tries to make a way of escape for Thrasymachus by inserting the words ‘thought to be.’ Yes, Polemarchus,—Thrasymachus said that for subjects to do what was commanded by their rulers is just.