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mature years； who have children and wives at home； and； as far as
possible； a long line of ancestors of good repute； and all must be
possessed of sufficient property。 For a city of ten thousand
householders their numbers should be fifty； that is enough。 These they
must induce to come from their own homes by entreaties and the promise
of the highest honours； and having induced them to come they must
entreat and command them to draw up laws after binding themselves by
oath to show no partiality either to conquerors or to conquered； but
to give equal and common rights to the whole State。
When laws have been enacted； what everything then hinges on is this。
If the conquerors show more obedience to the laws than the
conquered； the whole State will be full of security and happiness； and
there will be an escape from all your troubles。 But if they do not；
then do not summon me or any other helper to aid you against those who
do not obey the counsel I now give you。 For this course is akin to
that which Dion and I attempted to carry out with our hearts set on
the welfare of Syracuse。 It is indeed a second best course。 The
first and best was that scheme of welfare to all mankind which we
attempted to carry out with the co…operation of Dionysios； but some
chance； mightier than men； brought it to nothing。 Do you now； with
good fortune attending you and with Heaven's help； try to bring your
efforts to a happier issue。
Let this be the end of my advice and injunction and of the narrative
of my first visit to Dionysios。 Whoever wishes may next hear of my
second journey and voyage； and learn that it was a reasonable and
suitable proceeding。 My first period of residence in Sicily was
occupied in the way which I related before giving my advice to the
relatives and friends of Dion。 After those events I persuaded
Dionysios by such arguments as I could to let me go； and we made an
agreement as to what should be done when peace was made； for at that
time there was a state of war in Sicily。 Dionysios said that； when
he had put the affairs of his empire in a position of greater safety
for himself； he would send for Dion and me again； and he desired
that Dion should regard what had befallen him not as an exile； but
as a change of residence。 I agreed to come again on these conditions。
When peace had been made； he began sending for me； he requested that
Dion should wait for another year； but begged that I should by all
means come。 Dion now kept urging and entreating me to go。 For
persistent rumours came from Sicily that Dionysios was now once more
possessed by an extraordinary desire for philosophy。 For this reason
Dion pressed me urgently not to decline his invitation。 But though I
was well aware that as regards philosophy such symptoms were not
uncommon in young men； still it seemed to me safer at that time to
part company altogether with Dion and Dionysios； and I offended both
of them by replying that I was an old man； and that the steps now
being taken were quite at variance with the previous agreement。
After this； it seems； Archytes came to the court of Dionysios。
Before my departure I had brought him and his Tarentine circle into
friendly relations with Dionysios。 There were some others in
Syracuse who had received some instruction from Dion； and others had
learnt from these； getting their heads full of erroneous teaching on
philosophical questions。 These； it seems； were attempting to hold
discussions with Dionysios on questions connected with such
subjects； in the idea that he had been fully instructed in my views。
Now is not at all devoid of natural gifts for learning； and he has a
great craving for honour and glory。 What was said probably pleased
him； and he felt some shame when it became clear that he had not taken
advantage of my teaching during my visit。 For these reasons he
conceived a desire for more definite instruction； and his love of
glory was an additional incentive to him。 The real reasons why he
had learnt nothing during my previous visit have just been set forth
in the preceding narrative。 Accordingly； now that I was safe at home
and had refused his second invitation； as I just now related；
Dionysios seems to have felt all manner of anxiety lest certain people
should suppose that I was unwilling to visit him again because I had
formed a poor opinion of his natural gifts and character； and because；
knowing as I did his manner of life； I disapproved of it。
It is right for me to speak the truth； and make no complaint if
anyone； after hearing the facts； forms a poor opinion of my
philosophy； and thinks that the tyrant was in the right。 Dionysios now
invited me for the third time； sending a trireme to ensure me
comfort on the voyage； he sent also Archedemos…one of those who had
spent some time with Archytes； and of whom he supposed that I had a
higher opinion than of any of the Sicilian Greeks…and； with him； other
men of repute in Sicily。 These all brought the same report； that
Dionysios had made progress in philosophy。 He also sent a very long
letter； knowing as he did my relations with Dion and Dion's
eagerness also that I should take ship and go to Syracuse。 The
letter was framed in its opening sentences to meet all these
conditions； and the tenor of it was as follows： 〃Dionysios to
Plato；〃 here followed the customary greeting and immediately after
it he said； 〃If in compliance with our request you come now； in the
first place； Dion's affairs will be dealt with in whatever way you
yourself desire； I know that you will desire what is reasonable； and I
shall consent to it。 But if not； none of Dion's affairs will have
results in accordance with your wishes； with regard either to Dion
himself or to other matters。〃 This he said in these words； the rest it
would be tedious and inopportune to quote。 Other letters arrived
from Archytes and the Tarentines； praising the philosophical studies
of Dionysios and saying that； if I did not now come； I should cause
a complete rupture in their friendship with Dionysios； which had
been brought about by me and was of no small importance to their
political interests。
When this invitation came to me at that time in such terms； and
those who had come from Sicily and Italy were trying to drag me
thither； while my friends at Athens were literally pushing me out with
their urgent entreaties； it was the same old tale…that I must not
betray Dion and my Tarentine friends and supporters。 Also I myself had
a lurking feeling that there was nothing surprising in the fact that a
young man； quick to learn； hearing talk of the great truths of
philosophy； should feel a craving for the higher life。 I thought
therefore that I must put the matter definitely to the test to see
whether his desire was genuine or the reverse； and on no account leave
such an impulse unaided nor make myself responsible for such a deep
and real disgrace； if the reports brought by anyone were really
true。 So blindfolding myself with this reflection； I set out； with
many fears and with no very favourable anticipations； as was natural
enough。 However； I went； and my action on this occasion at any rate
was really a case of 〃the third to the Preserver；〃 for I had the
good fortune to return safely； and for this I must； next to the God；
thank Dionysios； because； though many wished to make an end of me；
he prevented them and paid some proper respect to my situation。
On my arrival； I thought that first I must put to the test the
question whether Dionysios had really been kindled with the fire of
philosophy； or whether all the reports which had come to Athens were
empty rumours。 Now there is a way of putting such things to the test
which is not to be despised and is well suited to monarchs； especially
to those who have got their heads full of erroneous teaching； which
immediately my arrival I found to be very much the case with
Dionysios。 One should show such men what philosophy is in all its
extent； what their range of studies is by which it is approached；
and how much labour it involves。 For the man who has heard this； if he
has the true philosophic spirit and that godlike temperament which
makes him a kin to philosophy and worthy of it； thinks that he has
been told of a marvellous road lying before him； that he must
forthwith press on with all his strength； and that life is not worth
living if he does anything else。 After this he uses to the full his
own powers and those of his guide in the path； and relaxes not his
efforts； till he has either reached the end of the whole course of
study or gained such power that he is not incapable of directing his
steps without the aid of a guide。 This is the spirit and these are the
thoughts by which such a man guides his life； carrying out his work；
whatever his occupation may be； but throughout it all ever cleaving to
philosophy and to such rules of diet in his daily life as will give
him inward sobriety and therewith qui