Plato: On the Generation of the Tyrant

Socrates: Then, there is one remaining, the tyrannical man, let us consider in what manner he develops and is removed from the democratic, and having an existence, of what form of life he lives, misery or macarism.

LATER

Socrates: ...but, we need to know... how there are terrible, useless and turpitudinous forms of desires that are eidetic and have presence in each one of us, and it appears, amongst us experienced ones, and it is evident, that they entirely ensue and are generated in hypnosis. Then, if this appears to be our assertion, and you permit it, let it be so.

Adeimantos: And, I concur.

Socrates: Then, remember the demotic [of the people] sort, as we declared him, who it appears, was generated and nourished from a juvenile with a parsimonious patriarch whos existence was uniquely timocratic with chrematistic desires, but not the necessary ones, rather, this sort preferred to pursue infantile activity [fun], and then adornment, for the purpose of generation. Indeed so?

Adeimantos: Yes.

Socrates: But then, this sort, synergised with more elegant men, who have plenty of the desires recently discussed, and have the impulse to act with every hubris, and the form of those men was to despise the paternal parsimony. However, this sort, having a superior nature than those who corrupt, was directed into both parts, assuming a state in the median of both ways to turn, and indeed, in his opinion, he was apolaustic with measure to both, having neither illiberal nor anomic existence. The democratic sort was generated and extracted from the oligarchic.

Adeimantos: And this continues to be the opinion of the previously mentioned sort.

Socrates:  So then, suppose once again, indeed, that this sort is now the senior, and in turn, there is a new sort, having again been nourished in a similar way.

Adeimantos: And what then?

Socrates: Then, suppose the exact things that are generated concerning this self are the same ones which also concern his patriarch, impelling to all anomie, and so denominated by the agents as absolute liberty, and aiding with the median desires in succession, the patriarch and the alternate members of the family organisation all providing aid. And when these especially formidable magicians and tyrant-constructors expect the adolescent to be controlled, they machine a sensual intimacy implant in self, positioned in advance of the inert, and pre-fabricated to apportion desires, a magnificent drone somewhat winged [male bee], or what do you believe the sensual intimacy of these sorts to be?

Adeimantos: Nothing, on my part, only this.

Socrates: Then, indeed, whenever the alternate desires bombinate and circle self, and there is plentiful incense, unguents, crowns of foliage, wines, and the release of hedonism in such companionship to the extreme, they augment and nourish the acute sting of coveting, which they implant into the drone. Then, indeed, this protector of the psyche with spear-bearing escorts, seizes upon self when under mania and in a frenzy, and whenever there are any valuable opinions and desires producing themselves, and yet there exists a sense of humility, he annihilates and impels those things apart from self until the time of catharsis from temperance, and plenty of mania is instituted from the exterior.

Adeimantos: You represent absolutely the generation of the tyrannical man.

Socrates: And is it therefore by way of this sort of thing that from the ancient, Eros is prescribed a tyrant?

Adeimantos: It is likely.

Socrates: Then permit it be so, O cherished companion. And, having become inebriated, does a man indeed have a certain tyrannical mental disposition?

Adeimantos: Indeed, yes.

Socrates: And indeed, this particular one, having mania and in motion from below, expects to and attempts to hold a dynamic regime, not only of humans but also of Gods.

Adeimantos: And certainly so.

Socrates: The tyrannical one, O divine man, is generated perfectly, whenever by nature or by habitual practice, or both, he is prone to intoxication and sensual intimacy and profound irritability.

Adeimantos: Indeed, this way completely.

Socrates: It certainly appears to be the way this sort of man is generated. 

Plato, The Republic IX 

New English Recensional Translation by The Editor of ClassicalPhilosophy.org, Chichester, England, 2025.