Cover of Statesman

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.

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