“And will it not become skeptical of all men of any calling whatsoever, in even greater measure than of our priests and our religion?”
“In even greater measure,” he said; “for men are loath to give up their faith in the gods.”
“And will it not say that to know the truth is impossible, inasmuch as every man obscures the face of truth for his own advantage? And is it not plain as regards the State, in what condition it then will be?”
“What?” said Chærephon and Megaphon.
“Every citizen,” I said, “will be convinced that many of his fellows are rascals, and that all are selfish and deceitful, and will say in his heart: ‘What boots it for me alone to speak the truth, or to do for Zeus and my neighbor that which brings travail to me?’ And he will conclude by doing as he has been taught that all men do. And this is the very worst of ill fortune for the State, for its citizens to be filled with suspicion and distrust and hopelessness, and to think they should act for no one’s welfare but their own. This is evil thinking at its worst.[19] Is it not, O Chærephon and Megaphon?”
“It is, in very truth,” Chærephon said.
XIV. But Megaphon was silent.
“What is it, O Megaphon?” I asked.