He therefore adopts a 'second legal standard of honourable and dishonourable, having a second standard of right.' He would abolish altogether 'the connexion of men with men...As to women, if any man has to do with any but those who come into his house duly married by sacred rites, and he offends publicly in the face of all mankind, we shall be right in enacting that he be deprived of civic honours and privileges.' But feeling also that it is impossible wholly to control the mightiest passions of mankind,' Plato, like other legislators, makes a compromise.
The offender must not be found out; decency, if not morality, must be respected.

In this he appears to agree with the practice of all civilized ages and countries.

Much may be truly said by the moralist on the comparative harm of open and concealed vice.

Nor do we deny that some moral evils are better turned out to the light, because, like diseases, when exposed, they are more easily cured.

And secrecy introduces mystery which enormously exaggerates their power; a mere animal want is thus elevated into a sentimental ideal.