Plato’s Probity Paradox
“But in fact he [Socrates] concludes (a) that potential
guardians should imitate only good men … and (b) that
they should imitate as little as possible.”
~ Penelope Murray, Plato on Poetry, 5
“To thine own self be true” ~ Polonius
If Plato is correct, mimesis of
A good man is what young men ought to try.
Whenever they see goodness, they should love
And recreate it. Soul and inmost eye
Of youths are wise if they seek out the best
And follow their examples. Plato seems
To say this. Then he also says the quest
For being good is something else. He deems
The young should do little imitation,
The minimum. Instead we should find good
Our own ways. Lickspittle imitation
Is for fools. Men were best who understood
Themselves the best. These simply chose the right
They found inside their souls through inward sight.
