[5] Or, "paying vows."

But tell me (he proceeded), do you owe service to any living being,
think you? or are you prepared to stand alone? Prepared not to please
or try to please a single soul? to follow none? To obey neither
general nor ruler of any sort? Is that your attitude, or do you admit
that you owe allegience to somebody?

Lamp. Yes; certainly I owe allegiance.

Soc. May I take it that you are willing to please at any rate your
neighbour, so that he may kindle a fire for you in your need, may
prove himself a ready helpmate in good fortune, or if you chance on
evil and are stumbling, may friendlily stand by your side to aid?

Lamp. I am willing.

Soc. Well, and what of that other chance companion--your fellow-
traveller by land or sea? what of any others, you may light upon? is
it indifferent to you whether these be friends or not, or do you admit
that the goodwill of these is worth securing by some pains on your
part?

Lamp. I do.

Soc. It stands thus then: you are prepared to pay attention to this,
that, and the other stranger, but to your mother who loves you more
than all else, you are bound to render no service, no allegiance? Do
you not know that whilst the state does not concern itself with