Plato in, The Republic, said that all of our leaders should be bred
With honesty as their main trait before they even had a gait
An iron word unbroken with care oiled kept untarnished seldom spoken
Steel will of high tensile strength won't break but bends along its length
Has a plastic mind undefined that stretches but never on wisdom retches
With a heart of shared gold that he gives to masses untold
Would rather swallow a fly than twist his tongue on a lie
Rather than one soldier die as chattel he himself would go into battle
Never allowed to have money, fed off the state's honey
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: May 17th, 2025 03:10
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 68
- Users favorite of this poem: Teddy.15, Damaso, Cheeky Missy, GenXer Shamrocker ☘️
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Comments11
Probably the greatest philosopher, I'd find it hard to believe any human can remain platonic in our world today, as there seems to be two side on the left we are good on the right we are bad. A magnificent piece of poetry and a fabulous discussion my friend. 🌹
Thank you Teddy for the read and understanding it is of greatest value to me. Have a wonderful day
What we like it or want to hear it I would rather people were just honest, then at least you respect someone for being true to their beliefs and self. Lies just breed lies, which breed mistrust and contempt, then resentment and anger, and very quickly you are the road to failure, lovely write, enjoyed the read
Honesty is downplayed if not repulsed in a politically correct world where people are too fragile to hear the views of others. Thank you so much Tobani for the read and support it is deeply valued
You are very welcome
Gee when I look at our leaders the last word that comes to mind is "honesty".Brilliant poem filled with optimist.Enjoyed
Thank you David for your read and encouragement it is most valued
Well said!
Thank you Friendship
What a pleasure to read you, sir. I can feel the yearning for the principles and values of yesteryear.
Thanks so much for the read and kind words of support. Yea I'm just an old fart.
I followed Plato and Aristotle but always confused with Confucius... 😄
Thanks so much Salvia for your read and support. So many philosophers.
Plato’s vision of leadership is highly idealistic. The ideal ruler must be entirely free of selfish ambition, but Plato’s philosopher-king remains more an aspiration than a reality. Excellent write, Soren. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much my friend for your read and comment yes that is so true it seems man's nature is counter to being free of selfish ambition and most are not honest either. Nevertheless it remains a wish and an ideal that we should look for. The more I have sturdied about past leaders, kings or presidents I have not found one without their problems. Ideals like Washington and Lincoln had their dark side as well. Appreciate so much your words.
Very well written and packed with thought-provoking lines. If only there was a gruelling exam to pass before even getting in the running for leadership. Then we might have more decent, well-adjusted human beings running the world.
Thank you so much for your review and understanding words of support they are most appreciated and valued. Yes but cynic that I am, I'm afraid that there wouldn't be many candidates that would qualify.
If only.....?
Andy
Thanks Andy for the read and supportive word. Yes if only indeed.
Wonderful Words to live by. If only all leaders took them to heart.
'Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason'. Mark Twain.
So true. Thank you so much for your read and kind words of support they are most appreciated
Always love your work. One of my favorite poets you are
I thank you so much you are so kind.
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