Hades would be applauded and so the fighters will not concern death; youngsters would be to grow up dreading slavery more than demise (386c). The fresh character Achilles need to be absent off all the reports, since the college students never select lamenting or gross displays out of immoderate emotion glorified to own concern they will adopt the methods as his or her very own (388). In addition, tales never were screens of humor (389a). For example way too much displays out of grief, excessively displays regarding pleasure jeopardize the newest stoic ideas that is desirable during the guardians. Appropriate reports need glorify and you can remind moderation; they want to display screen obedience so you’re able to supervisors and you will temperance in the ingesting, dining, intercourse (389e), and you can love of money and you will property (390e). Tales should also inform you courage when confronted with chances (390d. Extremely current reports, Socrates states, publish poor texts and should getting banned. They show unjust men just like the pleased, only boys once the disappointed, injustice because effective, and you may justice as actually somebody else’s a good and you will an 
individual’s individual losings. Interestingly, these types of bad texts are exactly the same because Glaucon’s and you can Adeimantus’ arguments contrary to the usefulness away from fairness. Rather than getting told established stories like those by the Homer and you can Hesiod, people should be told speeches in the genuine fairness, any type of it may be (392c). Remarkably, though Socrates comes with about three of five head virtues (bravery, moderation, and fairness) one of the essential instructions away from suitable reports, insights is missing. The omission off knowledge, also the implication that guardians should accept thoughtlessly any kind of he’s advised and also to getting wholly formed of the reports, suggest again one to guardians commonly supposed to be wise and philosophical.
Because of the saying that the higher virtues is actually gotten owing to training and try a point of discreet preference, Socrates combats Glaucon’s fascination with base delights
Just after handling appropriate posts of tales, Socrates covers whether or not easy otherwise imitative story is utilized by poets and you may guardians. He decides you to mimetic poetry try risky because prompts anybody in order to replicate bad plus an excellent conclusion and you may supporting the new ticket of your own one man-one to work principle (395c). However, if poets and guardians are to simulate (which they doubtlessly will as Socrates’ entire discussion of one’s importance of great stories depends on the idea one to youngsters often replicate cases), they need to backup men and women virtues which they had been instructed just like the young people (courage, moderation, holiness, freedom) (395c). Socrates says, “Imitations, if they’re practiced continuously off youthfulness onwards, getting centered given that habits and you can nature, in the system and you may songs along with thought” (395d). Ergo, a proper sorts of narrative both for guardians and you will poets is mainly low-imitative, however, makes it possible for some imitation of good people (396d). Socrates then claims your preference to own non-imitative poets excludes many treasured and you may funny poets in the urban area (397e-398a), and only way more old-fashioned much less-pleasing poets.
Finally inside the talk from educative songs, Socrates address the right track off reports with Glaucon. Just as the posts and magnificence off speeches, Socrates lets simply reasonable and you will old-fashioned tunes. Tunes imitating this new tunes and accessories of males fearless regarding the face off danger and the ones compatible so you can quiet men are allowed, however, settings suiting laments otherwise revelries is forbidden (399b). Merely effortless tool like the lyre, cither, and you may tubing are permitted (399d). First and foremost, Socrates claims you to definitely flow need to realize speech, perhaps not vice versa. Every part of address have to follow the feeling of a good soul; “A beneficial message, good equilibrium, a good grace, and you will an effective rhythm supplement a good disposition” (400e).
While Glaucon try unwilling to give up the new “relishes” which he likes (372c), Adeimantus, Socrates’ mate for it a portion of the conversation, willingly gets upwards their favourite poets and agrees that poets need feel reduced enjoyable
Socrates states that careful publishing out-of tales is essential while they are the most effective particular training guardians’ souls. Flow and balance contact the latest heart personally, anytime children are surrounded by reports away from jesus and never confronted with crappy reports, such as “commendable canines” they’re going to learn how to love whatever they understand (god and you can justice) and you can hate what they do perhaps not discover (injustice) (401d-e). Teaching themselves to like great one thing and you will dislike ugly anything since the a good man will help her or him enjoy realistic message and get pleasure in lifestyle meagerly whenever sex (402a). Socrates reveals him that with just the right training, a longevity of commendable advantage, also “moderation, courage, liberality, and magnificence” (402c) however, excluding sex and you may excessively pleasure, would-be rewarding. Put differently, due to reading genuine advantage, Glaucon discover a satisfaction similar (yet not similar) to that particular of one’s eros which he therefore desires.