Is there timber for ship-building?
'There is no pine, nor much cypress; and very little stone-pine or plane wood for the interior of ships.' That is good.

'Why ?' Because the city will not be able to imitate the bad ways of her enemies.

'What is the bearing of that remark ?' To explain my meaning, I would ask you to remember what we said about the Cretan laws, that they had an eye to war only; whereas I maintained that they ought to have included all virtue.

And I hope that you in your turn will retaliate upon me if I am false to my own principle.

For I consider that the lawgiver should go straight to the mark of virtue and justice, and disregard wealth and every other good when separated from virtue.
What further I mean, when I speak of the imitation of enemies, I will illustrate by the story of Minos, if our Cretan friend will allow me to mention it.