Appendix 13. (1688).
Those who take it upon themselves to criticise some public decision or propose some reform have to do so with the greatest consideration, while maintaining due reverence for authority. It would seem, therefore, that criticising laws is more fitting to older people, if they are learned and virtuous, than for the young, as Plato has said. At the same time government can indeed claim that suggestions made to it should be offered in a wise, seemly way. Nevertheless, it has the duty to accept every good proposal made, whatever its source, even if the proposer fails in his duty. The following quotation from Plato (Laws, bk. 1), where he mentions the proper mode of action for wishing to criticise anything in public laws, is I think a fine piece of writing. An Athenian guest, wishing to blame both Cretan and Spartan laws because they aim at making people strong in face of pain but not equally strong in face of pleasure, begins to speak about the matter with great delicacy to Clinia, a Cretan, and Megillo, a Spartan:
| Athenian. Indeed, if there is some careful investigator of truth and goodness amongst us who wishes to criticise something in the laws of our country, we would have to bear with him peacefully, and not let ourselves feel oppressed Clinia. That's right, my Athenian friend. And here I am, ready to obey you. Athenian. Yes, Clinia, it is fitting that people of your age and condition should act in this way. Clinia. Of course. Athenian. It would be different if it were a question of knowing who could justly criticise the Cretan and Spartan republics, but if we are simply referring to matters of common opinion, perhaps I am in a better position than either of you. Whether your laws have been well or poorly constituted, you certainly have one law that must be highly commended, that is, no young person should dare to question whether laws are rightly constituted or not. All together, with one mouth and one voice, should accept them as good and coming from the gods themselves; nothing said against the laws should be tolerated. But if one of the old men finds that after considering some point, he has something to say to the rulers and his own peers, he should take care that young people do not hear about this. Clinia. Well said! And even if your thoughts are far from those of the legislator, it seems obvious that you intuit such things with the wisdom of an oracle, and say things which are altogether true. Athenian. Look, there are no young people here. Alone, and granted our advanced age, we are licensed by the legislator to discuss such things without any fault. Clinia. You're right! And it allows us to move on freely with our discussion about the laws. It is not in fact disrespectful to reveal whatever the laws contain outside the ambit of right. If the criticism is received benevolently, without animosity, the defect can be remedied. Athenian. Yes, indeed! But I promise not to criticise anything without first having considered it as best I can. |
This is an excellent way to review laws critically. Note, however, that imposing silence indiscriminately on all the young and obliging them to say something about which they are perhaps not persuaded, is out of keeping with freedom and Christian wisdom. Youth should be inspired by diffidence and modesty, but then allowed to speak.