"Arts and governments ... rule and provide for the interests of their subjects who are the weaker and not the stronger -- to their good they attend and not to the good of the superior.... No one is willing to govern; because no one likes to take in hand the reformation of evils which are not his concern without remuneration....In order that rulers may be willing to rule, they must be paid in one of three modes of payment: money, or honour, or a penalty for refusing."
- Socrates, The Republic, Book I, by Plato. Translation by Benjamin Jowett
If you recall from last time, Thrasymachus the Sophist was all up in Socrates's face and being all like "Bitch! Whoeva's in charge decides what justice is, and that person's gonna do what's in her best interest. Then that diva's gonna make everyone do what she says, creatin' the laws that define justice."
Ready for Socrates's reply? Sistafriend's all like, "Girl, don't choo know that all arts and sciences care for the interests of their subjects, which is the weaker not the stonger? And don't choo know that there's a difference between doing something and gettin' paid for it?" Socrates claims that no one would get involved in politics without some kind of incentive, because, let's face it, it sucks to be the girlfriend who raises your taxes unless you also be gettin' fringe benefits. Socrates goes on to say that if it's not for the money or the prestige, then it's because some other drag queen with dreams of bigger hair than yours might be named Miss Gay America 380 BC, and the people will not stand for it!
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