But neither in this case nor in any other is the son to bear the iniquity of the father, unless father, grandfather, great-grandfather, have all of them been capitally convicted, and then the family of the criminal are to be sent off to the country of their ancestor, retaining their property, with the exception of the lot and its fixtures.

And ten are to be selected from the younger sons of the other citizens--one of whom is to be chosen by the oracle of Delphi to be heir of the lot.
Our third law will be a general one, concerning the procedure and the judges in cases of treason.

As regards the remaining or departure of the family of the offender, the same law shall apply equally to the traitor, the sacrilegious, and the conspirator.
A thief, whether he steals much or little, must refund twice the amount, if he can do so without impairing his lot; if he cannot, he must go to prison until he either pays the plaintiff, or in case of a public theft, the city, or they agree to forgive him.

'But should all kinds of theft incur the same penalty ?' You remind me of what I know--that legislation is never perfect.

The men for whom laws are now made may be compared to the slave who is being doctored, according to our old image, by the unscientific doctor.