It is because I desire what is best for Athens and because I desire to see the Athenian people reach their utmost potential that I address you today. I believe that in order for Athens to return to her former glory we must make the education of our youth a priority. Education must be the foundation upon which Athens is rebuilt. It is through education that we prepare for the future, and I believe that the decisions we make concerning the education of our children, during this delicate time of transition and rebuilding, will directly affect whether Athens will flourish in a more triumphant future or once again fall into the hands of one of her enemies.
As I stated previously, only those who are equipped to rule should be given the responsibility of ruling over a people. Athens will prosper when everyone of its citizen functions in his trade at the highest level of excellence. Potters should make excellent pots, farmers should grow the best crops, etc, and the same goes for rulers. It is vital for the healthy of any state that their leaders rule justly and do only what is best for Athens as a whole, instead of the individual. It is for that reason that I believe education should be reserved for those select few who show promise in those traits required to be a just ruler. The potter does not need to know that which does not pertain to his trade. His time should not be wasted with such things as philosophy. But one who will rule must be well acquainted with the philosophy of justice in order for him to rule well. The best leaders are those who understand the true meaning of the poets and have a firm grasp on moral and theological issues. That is why education should be only for those who show a possible aptitude for ruling justly.
It is not fitting for every man to be a ruler and so it is of the utmost importance that we distinguish which children are more suitable for a ruling position from those who may serve the Polis better in another area. Therefore, in order for a child to be seen as having promise he must exhibit the ability to retain and practice the knowledge that is pertinent to the survival and maintenance of any just state. The qualities are as follows: justice, wisdom, understanding, logic, critical thinking, and temperance. These qualities are an absolute necessity for every ruler to have. They are qualities that an individual possesses but are not refined into the proper tools that are necessary to govern justly. They require an incredible amount of teaching and self-discipline to master. Having promise means that the child exhibits a basic understanding of those very important virtues. He must show signs of having a very sensitive moral compass and potential insights into theological issues. This child is no more important to the state then the child who will be a master potter, he is simply better suited for the position of ruler.
The selection of these potential leaders is critical to the success of our great state. Choosing those who have promise cannot be left up to the masses but should be given to the men who are most qualified. Only those with the proper knowledge of such things as: philosophy, wisdom, and justice, will be aware of the potential of those attributes in others. A fisherman could not appropriately judge a potters work and so a potter should not be given the duty of judging a potential leader. A council of men who are educated and understand the true meaning of those all-important virtues should be given the job of determining which children should be educated. It is imperative that the assembly appoint a council of men who are aptly qualified and are committed to determining whether a person does indeed possess these attributes and whether this person will have success in implementing them justly as a leader. Those who are properly educated will rule justly and with great success. Proper education will ensure that the leaders will be completely committed to what is best for the state as a whole and not what is best for the individual person. The combination of just and selfless leaders will ensure a successful future for Athens. Therefore, since we are all in agreement that a triumphant future for Athens is our goal, we must also agree that drastic changes to our present system of education are necessary. I see no better place to start then determining those with potential for ruling justly.