Statesman

Introduction

The Statesman continues the Sophist and is again led by the stranger from Elea. Seeking to define the true statesman, he tells a great myth of the universe turning alternately in opposite directions, and compares the statesman's art to weaving: the statesman's work is to weave citizens of courageous and of temperate character into a single fabric. The dialogue also compares monarchy, aristocracy and democracy with their corrupt forms, and asks whether law or wisdom should rule, preparing the way for Plato's late Laws.