This is, perhaps, a one-sided but not wholly untrue picture of the maxims and practice of mankind when they 'sit down together at an assembly,' either in ancient or modern times.
When the higher natures are corrupted by politics, the lower take possession of the vacant place of philosophy.

This is described in one of those continuous images in which the argument, to use a Platonic expression, 'veils herself,' and which is dropped and reappears at intervals.

The question is asked,--Why are the citizens of states so hostile to philosophy?
The answer is, that they do not know her.

And yet there is also a better mind of the many; they would believe if they were taught.

But hitherto they have only known a conventional imitation of philosophy, words without thoughts, systems which have no life in them; a (divine) person uttering the words of beauty and freedom, the friend of man holding communion with the Eternal, and seeking to frame the state in that image, they have never known.