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If at this instant a friend whispers to him, 'Now the gods

lighten thee; thou art a great fool' and must be educated-do you

think that he will listen? Or suppose a better sort of man who is

attracted towards philosophy, will they not make Herculean

efforts to spoil and corrupt him? Are we not right in saying that

the love of knowledge, no less than riches, may divert him? Men

of this class (Critias) often become politicians-they are the

authors of great mischief in states, and sometimes also of great

good. And thus philosophy is deserted by her natural protectors,

and others enter in and dishonour her. Vulgar little minds see

the land open and rush from the prisons of the arts into her

temple. A clever mechanic having a soul coarse as his body,

thinks that he will gain caste by becoming her suitor.