“In our private capacity, likewise, how advantageous is it to obey the laws?  By what means can we more certainly avoid punishments, and deserve rewards?  What more prudent conduct can we observe, always to gain our suits at law, and never to be cast!  To whom should we with greater confidence trust our estates or our children, than to him who makes a conscience of observing the laws?  Who can deserve more of his country? whom can she more safely entrust with public posts, and on whom can she more justly bestow the highest honours, than on the good and honest man?  Who will discharge himself better of his duty towards his father or his mother, towards his relations or his domestics, towards his friends, his fellow-citizens, or his guests?  To whom will the enemy rather trust for the observing of a truce, or for the performance of a treaty of peace?  With whom would we rather choose to make an alliance?  To whom will the allies more readily give the command of their armies, or the government of their towns?  From whom can we rather hope for a grateful return of a kindness than from a man who strictly obeys the laws? and, by consequence, to whom will men be more ready to do good turns, than to him of whose gratitude they are certain?  With whom will men be better pleased to contract a friendship, and, consequently, against whom will men be less inclined to commit acts of hostility, than against that person who has everybody for his well-wisher and friend, and few or none for his ill-wishers or enemies?  These, Hippias, are the advantages of observing the laws.  And now, having shown you that the observance of the laws is the same thing with justice, if you are of another opinion, pray let me know it.”  “Indeed, Socrates,” answered Hippias, “what you have said of justice agrees exactly with my sentiments of it.”  “Have you never heard,” continued Socrates, “of certain laws that are not written?” “You mean the laws,” answered Hippias, “which are received all over the earth.”  “Do you think, then,” added Socrates, “that it was all mankind that made them?” “That is impossible,” said Hippias, “because all men cannot be assembled in the same place, and they speak not all of them the same language.”  “Who, then, do you think gave us these laws?” “The gods,” answered Hippias; “for the first command to all men is to adore the gods.”  “And is it not likewise commanded everywhere to honour one’s father and mother?” “Yes, certainly,” said Hippias.  Socrates went on:—­“And that fathers and mothers should not marry with their own children, is not that too a general command?” “No,” answered Hippias, “this last law is not a Divine law, because I see some persons transgress it.”  “They observe not the others better,” said Socrates; “but take notice, that no man violates with impunity a law established by the gods.  There are unavoidable punishments annexed to this crime; but we easily secure ourselves from the rigour of human laws, after we have transgressed them, either