which is the highest form of the same nature, and endeavour to discover

by rules of art what the management of cities is; and then the dream

will become a reality to us.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Very true.

STRANGER: Then, once more, let us resume the previous argument, and as

there were innumerable rivals of the royal race who claim to have the

care of states, let us part them all off, and leave him alone; and, as I

was saying, a model or example of this process has first to be framed.

YOUNG SOCRATES: Exactly.

STRANGER: What model is there which is small, and yet has any analogy

with the political occupation? Suppose, Socrates, that if we have no

other example at hand, we choose weaving, or, more precisely, weaving of

wool--this will be quite enough, without taking the whole of weaving, to

illustrate our meaning?

YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly.

STRANGER: Why should we not apply to weaving the same processes of

division and subdivision which we have already applied to other classes;

going once more as rapidly as we can through all the steps until we come

to that which is needed for our purpose?

Statesman