
Statesman
by Plato
- First published
- 1950
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"Statesman" by Plato is a Socratic dialogue that follows the action of the "Sophist." The work depicts a philosophical conversation seeking to define what makes a true statesman, distinguishing this figure from both sophist and philosopher. Through dialectical investigation and the method of division, the interlocutors explore whether genuine political power requires specialized knowledge of just rule—or whether most rulers merely imitate such wisdom without possessing it. The dialogue raises questions about who should govern and why.
- Classical literature
- Political science
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #1738. Statesman on Wikipedia.











