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I have another remark to make:-A middle condition is best for

artisans; they should have money enough to buy tools, and not

enough to be independent of business. And will not the same

condition be best for our citizens? If they are poor, they will

be mean; if rich, luxurious and lazy; and in neither case

contented. 'But then how will our poor city be able to go to war

against an enemy who has money?' There may be a difficulty in

fighting against one enemy; against two there will be none. In

the first place, the contest will be carried on by trained

warriors against well-to-do citizens: and is not a regular

athlete an easy match for two stout opponents at least? Suppose

also, that before engaging we send ambassadors to one of the two

cities, saying, 'Silver and gold we have not; do you help us and

take our share of the spoil;'-who would fight against the lean,

wiry dogs, when they might join with them in preying upon the

fatted sheep?