The Republic

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Plato's Republic, by PlatoThis eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online atwww.gutenberg.netTitle: Plato's RepublicAuthor: PlatoRelease Date: May 22, 2008 [EBook #150]Language: English*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PLATO'S REPUBLIC ***THE REPUBLICby Plato(360 B.C.)translated by Benjamin JowettTHE INTRODUCTIONTHE Republic of Plato is the longest of his works with the exception of the Laws, and is certainly the greatest of them.There are nearer approaches to modern metaphysics in the Philebus and in the Sophist; the Politicus or Statesman ismore ideal; the form and institutions of the State are more clearly drawn out in the Laws; as works of art, the Symposiumand the Protagoras are of higher excellence. But no other Dialogue of Plato has the same largeness of view and thesame perfection of style; no other shows an equal knowledge of the world, or contains more of those thoughts which arenew as well as old, and not of one age only but of all. Nowhere in Plato is there a deeper irony or a greater wealth ofhumor or imagery, or more dramatic power. Nor in any other of his writings is the attempt made to interweave life andspeculation, or to connect politics with philosophy. The Republic is the centre around which the other Dialogues may ...