Averroes' Paraphrase of Plato's Republic

so inhumane, that they can be instructed by no other reason than by engaging them in conflict, so that they might obey the virtues. original: "Sero hyan~ nã Sabamūs" — likely a fragmented or corrupted note; possibly "Sero hian(t) nam Sabamus" (They gape late, for we know/have tasted) It is manifest, therefore, that both of these ways by which the common people are corrected are not unlike nature, taking the example from the heads of households, who both correct and rebuke their family, children, adolescents, and slaves, just as the guardians of non-probate cities restrain their citizens, sometimes with reproaches, sometimes with a flogging, and finally with capital punishment. However, for that Republic which is now the subject of our discourse, it will very rarely happen that it will use that chastising way. Toward outsiders, however, there is indeed a need for such a way to be employed, seeing that rebellious peoples can be corrected only by war. A similar reason holds in laws, which do not differ from human laws. Just as this divine law of ours, since the way itself that leads to the glorious God is twofold: the one, which relies on speech and oration; the other, which relies on arms. But since this particular art is safely perfected only by the moral way, by which we most closely approach what is fitting—provided that the account of both time and manner is kept—this is certainly the very virtue of fortitude, which in an optimally instituted Republic leads to such a duty. Yet it does not seem able to perfect its work otherwise than by the addition of that proper art. This is seen in

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