1Like husbandry for the acquisition of corn?

2Yes.

3Or like shoemaking for the acquisition of shoes,—that is what you mean?

4Yes.

5And what similar use or power of acquisition has justice in time of peace?

6In contracts, Socrates, justice is of use.

7And by contracts you mean partnerships?

8Exactly.

9But is the just man or the skilful player a more useful and better partner at a game of draughts?

10The skilful player.

11And in the laying of bricks and stones is the just man a more useful or better partner than the builder?

12Quite the reverse.

13Then in what sort of partnership is the just man a better partner than the harp-player, as in playing the harp the harp-player is certainly a better partner than the just man?

14In a money partnership.

15Yes, Polemarchus, but surely not in the use of money; for you do not want a just man to be your counsellor in the purchase or sale of a horse; a man who is knowing about horses would be better for that, would he not?

16Certainly.

17And when you want to buy a ship, the shipwright or the pilot would be better?

18True.

19Then what is that joint use of silver or gold in which the just man is to be preferred?

20When you want a deposit to be kept safely.

21You mean when money is not wanted, but allowed to lie?

22Precisely.

23That is to say, justice is useful when money is useless?

24That is the inference.

25And when you want to keep a pruning-hook safe, then justice is useful to the individual and to the state; but when you want to use it, then the art of the vine-dresser?