Man is one; but in one and the same man are two foolish counsellors who contend within him--pleasure and pain, and of either he has expectations which we call hope and fear; and he is able to reason about good and evil, and reason, when affirmed by the state, becomes law.

'We cannot follow you.' Let me put the matter in another way: Every creature is a puppet of the Gods--whether he is a mere plaything or has any serious use we do not know; but this we do know, that he is drawn different ways by cords and strings.

There is a soft golden cord which draws him towards virtue--this is the law of the state; and there are other cords made of iron and hard materials drawing him other ways.

The golden reasoning influence has nothing of the nature of force, and therefore requires ministers in order to vanquish the other principles.

This explains the doctrine that cities and citizens both conquer and are conquered by themselves.