The heaviest penalty for declining to rule is to be ruled by someone inferior to yourself.

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  Until philosophers become kings in their cities, or those now called kings and rulers truly become philosophers, cities will have no rest from their evils.

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  Justice is a good to be valued not only for its rewards and results but also for its own sake.

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  Injustice brings discord into a man’s soul, while justice establishes order and harmony in it.

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  The just man sets in order his own inner life, and is his own master and at peace with himself.

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  Justice is doing one’s own business and not being a busybody.

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  Those who practise philosophy in the right way are in training for dying.

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