ertaking war; but if the opposite he may plead in favour of
exercising caution.

You are right (he answered).

Soc. Then would you for our benefit enumerate the land and naval forces
first of Athens and then of our opponents?

Glauc. Pardon me. I could not tell you them off-hand at a moment's
notice.

Or (added Socrates), if you have got the figures on paper, you might
produce them. I cannot tell how anxious I am to hear your statement.

Glauc. No, I assure you, I have not got them even on paper yet.

Soc. Well then, we will defer tending advice on the topic of peace or
war, in a maiden speech at any rate. (10) I can understand that, owing
to the magnitude of the questions, in these early days of your ministry
you have not yet fully examined them. But come, I am sure that you have
studied the defences of the country, at all events, and you know exactly
how many forts and outposts are serviceable (11) and how many are not;
you can tell us which garrisons are strong enough and which defective;
and you are prepared to throw in the weight of your advice in favour
of increasing the serviceable outposts and sweeping away those that are
superfluous?

(10) See "Econ." xi. 1.

(11) Or, "advantageously situated." See the author's own tract on
"Revenues."

Glauc. Yes, sweep them all away, that's my advice; for any good that is
likely to come of them! Defences indeed! so maintained that the property
of the rural districts is simply pilfered.

But suppose you sweep away the outposts (he asked), may not something
worse, think you, be the consequence? will not sheer plundering be free
to any ruffian who likes?... But may I ask is this judgment the
result of personal inspection? have you gone yourself and examined the
defences? or how do you know that they are all maintained as you say?

Glauc. I conjecture that it is so.

Soc. Well then, until we have got beyond the region of conjecture shall
we defer giving advice on the matter? (It will be time enough when we
know the facts.)

Possibly it would be better to wait till then (replied Glaucon).

Soc. Then there are the mines, (12) but, of course, I am aware that you
have not visited them in person, so as to be able to say why they are
less productive than formerly.

(12) Again the author's tract on "Revenues" is a comment on the
matter.

Well, no; I have never been there myself (he answered).

Soc. No, Heaven help us! an unhealthy district by all account