republic (books 1 - 5)   

chase or sale of a horse; a man who is knowing about horses
would be better for that, would he not?

Certainly.

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

True.

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

When you want a deposit to be kept safely.

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

Precisely.

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

That is the inference.

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

Clearly.

And when you want to keep a shield or a lyre, and not to use
them, you would say that justice is useful; but when you want
to use them, then the art of the soldier or of the musician?

Certainly.

And so of all other things--justice is useful when they are
useless, and useless when they are useful?

That is the inference.

Then justice is not good for much. But let us consider this
further point: Is not he who can best strike a blow in a boxing
match or in any kind of fighting best able to ward off a blow?

Certainly.

And he who is most skilful in preventing or escaping from
a disease is best able to create one?

True.

And he is the best guard of a camp who is best able to steal
a march upon the enemy?

Certainly.

Then he who is a good keeper of anything is also a good
thief?

That, I suppose, is to be inferred.

Then if the just man is good at keeping money, he is good
at stealing it.