DISSERTATION XXI. WHETHER THE LIBERAL DISCIPLINES CONTRIBUTE ANY THING TO VIRTUE. SOCRATES, in the Piræum, discoursing with political characters, fashions in words, as in a drama, an image of a good city and polity. He also establishes laws, educates children, and appoints guardians for the city, and delivers over both the bodies and souls of the citizens to music and gymnastic; for this purpose appointing good preceptors and select judges of both these disciplines, as being the leaders of the flock, and denominating these leaders guardians *; thus forming a city in a dream and not in reality, as it will appear to some one of a more rustic genius. This, however, was the manner of the ancient philosophy, which was similar to oracles. But, if you please, we will dismiss Socrates, and call on the Athenian guest to answer us: for I hear him * See the second book of the Republic of Plato. + Maximus here alludes to Plato's Laws, to my translation of which I refer the reader. |