The City in Speech: Education of Guardians

The city now needs guardians - a warrior class to defend against external enemies and maintain internal order. But who will guard the guardians? Their nature must be a paradox: fierce to enemies, gentle to friends - like a well-bred dog who distinguishes friend from stranger. Their education becomes crucial. Socrates proposes a curriculum of "music" (stories, poetry, culture) and gymnastics (physical training). But the stories must be censored: gods must be portrayed as good and unchanging; heroes must not lament death or fear the underworld; rulers must not lie (except for the good of the city). Homer and the tragedians are criticized and their poems would be censored. This is controversial: Socrates is proposing to ban the educators of Greece.