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the laborious prosecution of debauchery。 It follows necessarily that
the constitutions of such cities must be constantly changing；
tyrannies； oligarchies and democracies succeeding one another； while
those who hold the power cannot so much as endure the name of any form
of government which maintains justice and equality of rights。
With a mind full of these thoughts； on the top of my previous
convictions； I crossed over to Syracuse…led there perhaps by
chance…but it really looks as if some higher power was even then
planning to lay a foundation for all that has now come to pass with
regard to Dion and Syracuse…and for further troubles too； I fear；
unless you listen to the advice which is now for the second time
offered by me。 What do I mean by saying that my arrival in Sicily at
that movement proved to be the foundation on which all the sequel
rests？ I was brought into close intercourse with Dion who was then a
young man； and explained to him my views as to the ideals at which men
should aim； advising him to carry them out in practice。 In doing
this I seem to have been unaware that I was； in a fashion； without
knowing it； contriving the overthrow of the tyranny which；
subsequently took place。 For Dion； who rapidly assimilated my teaching
as he did all forms of knowledge； listened to me with an eagerness
which I had never seen equalled in any young man； and resolved to live
for the future in a better way than the majority of Italian and
Sicilian Greeks； having set his affection on virtue in preference to
pleasure and self…indulgence。 The result was that until the death of
Dionysios he lived in a way which rendered him somewhat unpopular
among those whose manner of life was that which is usual in the courts
of despots。
After that event he came to the conclusion that this conviction；
which he himself had gained under the influence of good teaching；
was not likely to be confined to himself。 Indeed； he saw it being
actually implanted in other minds…not many perhaps； but certainly in
some； and he thought that with the aid of the Gods； Dionysios might
perhaps become one of these； and that； if such a thing did come to
pass； the result would be a life of unspeakable happiness both for
himself and for the rest of the Syracusans。 Further； he thought it
essential that I should come to Syracuse by all manner of means and
with the utmost possible speed to be his partner in these plans；
remembering in his own case how readily intercourse with me had
produced in him a longing for the noblest and best life。 And if it
should produce a similar effect on Dionysios； as his aim was that it
should； he had great hope that； without bloodshed； loss of life； and
those disastrous events which have now taken place； he would be able
to introduce the true life of happiness throughout the whole
territory。
Holding these sound views； Dion persuaded Dionysios to send for
me； he also wrote himself entreating me to come by all manner of means
and with the utmost possible speed； before certain other persons
coming in contact with Dionysios should turn him aside into some way
of life other than the best。 What he said； though perhaps it is rather
long to repeat； was as follows： 〃What opportunities；〃 he said；
〃shall we wait for； greater than those now offered to us by
Providence？〃 And he described the Syracusan empire in Italy and
Sicily； his own influential position in it； and the youth of Dionysios
and how strongly his desire was directed towards philosophy and
education。 His own nephews and relatives； he said； would be readily
attracted towards the principles and manner of life described by me；
and would be most influential in attracting Dionysios in the same
direction； so that； now if ever； we should see the accomplishment of
every hope that the same persons might actually become both
philosophers and the rulers of great States。 These were the appeals
addressed to me and much more to the same effect。
My own opinion； so far as the young men were concerned； and the
probable line which their conduct would take； was full of
apprehension…for young men are quick in forming desires； which often
take directions conflicting with one another。 But I knew that the
character of Dion's mind was naturally a stable one and had also the
advantage of somewhat advanced years。
Therefore； I pondered the matter and was in two minds as to
whether I ought to listen to entreaties and go； or how I ought to act；
and finally the scale turned in favour of the view that； if ever
anyone was to try to carry out in practice my ideas about laws and
constitutions； now was the time for making the attempt； for if only
I could fully convince one man； I should have secured thereby the
accomplishment of all good things。
With these views and thus nerved to the task； I sailed from home； in
the spirit which some imagined； but principally through a feeling of
shame with regard to myself； lest I might some day appear to myself
wholly and solely a mere man of words； one who would never of his
own will lay his hand to any act。 Also there was reason to think
that I should be betraying first and foremost my friendship and
comradeship with Dion； who in very truth was in a position of
considerable danger。 If therefore anything should happen to him； or if
he were banished by Dionysios and his other enemies and coming to us
as exile addressed this question to me： 〃Plato； I have come to you
as a fugitive； not for want of hoplites； nor because I had no
cavalry for defence against my enemies； but for want of words and
power of persuasion； which I knew to be a special gift of yours；
enabling you to lead young men into the path of goodness and
justice； and to establish in every case relations of friendship and
comradeship among them。 It is for the want of this assistance on
your part that I have left Syracuse and am here now。 And the
disgrace attaching to your treatment of me is a small matter。 But
philosophy…whose praises you are always singing； while you say she
is held in dishonour by the rest of mankind…must we not say that
philosophy along with me has now been betrayed； so far as your
action was concerned？ Had I been living at Megara； you would certainly
have come to give me your aid towards the objects for which I asked
it； or you would have thought yourself the most contemptible of
mankind。 But as it is； do you think that you will escape the
reputation of cowardice by making excuses about the distance of the
journey； the length of the sea voyage； and the amount of labour
involved？ Far from it。〃 To reproaches of this kind what creditable
reply could I have made？ Surely none。
I took my departure； therefore； acting； so far as a man can act；
in obedience to reason and justice； and for these reasons leaving my
own occupations； which were certainly not discreditable ones； to put
myself under a tyranny which did not seem likely to harmonise with
my teaching or with myself。 By my departure I secur