beldames giving themselves out to be innocent pleasures, to wit,
dicings and profitless associations among men.[19] These in the
fulness of time appear in all their nakedness even to them that are
deceived, showing themselves that they are after all but pains tricked
out and decked with pleasures. These are they who have the dominion
over those you speak of and quite hinder them from every good and
useful work.

[19] Or, "frivolous society."

Crit. But there are others, Socrates, who are not hindered by these
indolences--on the contrary, they have the most ardent disposition to
exert themselves, and by every means to increase their revenues; but
in spite of all, they wear out their substance and are involved in
endless difficulties.[20]

[20] Or, "become involved for want of means."

Soc. Yes, for they too are slaves, and harsh enough are their
taskmasters; slaves are they to luxury and lechery, intemperance and
the wine-cup along with many a fond and ruinous ambition. These
passions so cruelly belord it over the poor soul whom they have got
under their thrall, that so long as he is in the heyday of health and
strong to labour, they compel him to fetch and carry and lay at their
feet the fruit of his toils, and to spend it on their own heart's
lusts; but as soon as he is seen to be incapable of further labour
through old age, they leave him to his gray hairs and misery, and turn
to seize on other victims.[21] Ah! Critobulus, against these must we
wage ceaseless war, for very freedom's sake, no less than if they were
armed warriors endeavouring to make us their slaves. Nay, foemen in