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Laws by Plato
page 62 of 727 (08%)
the Barbarians. For the capture of Troy by the Achaeans had given great
offence to the Assyrians, of whose empire it then formed part, and they
were likely to retaliate. Accordingly the royal Heraclid brothers devised
their military constitution, which was organised on a far better plan than
the old Trojan expedition; and the Dorians themselves were far superior to
the Achaeans, who had taken part in that expedition, and had been
conquered by them. Such a scheme, undertaken by men who had shared with
one another toils and dangers, sanctioned by the Delphian oracle, under
the guidance of the Heraclidae, seemed to have a promise of permanence.
'Naturally.' Yet this has not proved to be the case. Instead of the three
being one, they have always been at war; had they been united, in
accordance with the original intention, they would have been invincible.

And what caused their ruin? Did you ever observe that there are beautiful
things of which men often say, 'What wonders they would have effected if
rightly used?' and yet, after all, this may be a mistake. And so I say of
the Heraclidae and their expedition, which I may perhaps have been
justified in admiring, but which nevertheless suggests to me the general
reflection,--'What wonders might not strength and military resources have
accomplished, if the possessor had only known how to use them!' For
consider: if the generals of the army had only known how to arrange their
forces, might they not have given their subjects everlasting freedom, and
the power of doing what they would in all the world? 'Very true.' Suppose
a person to express his admiration of wealth or rank, does he not do so
under the idea that by the help of these he can attain his desires? All
men wish to obtain the control of all things, and they are always praying
for what they desire. 'Certainly.' And we ask for our friends what they
ask for themselves. 'Yes.' Dear is the son to the father, and yet the son,
if he is young and foolish, will often pray to obtain what the father will
pray that he may not obtain. 'True.' And when the father, in the heat of
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