And even in Socrates himself the sterner judgement of the multitude at times passes into a sort of ironical pity or love.

Men in general are incapable of philosophy, and are therefore at enmity with the philosopher; but their misunderstanding of him is unavoidable: for they have never seen him as he truly is in his own image; they are only acquainted with artificial systems possessing no native force of truth--words which admit of many applications.

Their leaders have nothing to measure with, and are therefore ignorant of their own stature.

But they are to be pitied or laughed at, not to be quarrelled with; they mean well with their nostrums, if they could only learn that they are cutting off a Hydra's head.

This moderation towards those who are in error is one of the most characteristic features of Socrates in the Republic.