Plato: Clitophon -

: The dialogue centers on Clitophon's frustration with Socratic "protreptics"—speeches that encourage a desire for virtue but, in Clitophon's view, fail to provide a practical guide on how to actually be just.

“Socrates remains silent at the conclusion of the dialogue would therefore exemplify the principle that it is not for the just to harm anyone.” PhilArchive Plato: Clitophon

: Many view the Clitophon as a "preface" to the Republic . It poses the very problem—the lack of a concrete definition for justice—that the Republic then spends ten books attempting to solve. : The dialogue centers on Clitophon's frustration with