'That is reasonable enough.' And now, suppose that the Gods had given mankind a drug, of which the effect was to exaggerate every sort of evil and danger, so that the bravest man entirely lost his presence of mind and became a coward for a time:--would such a drug have any value?
'But is there such a drug ?' No; but suppose that there were; might not the legislator use such a mode of testing courage and cowardice?
'To be sure.' The legislator would induce fear in order to implant fearlessness; and would give rewards or punishments to those who behaved well or the reverse, under the influence of the drug?
'Certainly.' And this mode of training, whether practised in the case of one or many, whether in solitude or in the presence of a large company--if a man have sufficient confidence in himself to drink the potion amid his boon companions, leaving off in time and not taking too much,--would be an equally good test of temperance?
'Very true.' Let us return to the lawgiver and say to him, 'Well, lawgiver, no such fear-producing potion has been given by God or invented by man, but there is a potion which will make men fearless.' 'You mean wine.' Yes; has not wine an effect the contrary of that which I was just now describing,--first mellowing and humanizing a man, and then filling him with confidence, making him ready to say or do anything?
'Certainly.' Let us not forget that there are two qualities which should be cultivated in the soul--first, the greatest fearlessness, and, secondly, the greatest fear, which are both parts of reverence.

Courage and fearlessness are trained amid dangers; but we have still to consider how fear is to be trained.

We desire to attain fearlessness and confidence without the insolence and boldness which commonly attend them.

For do not love, ignorance, avarice, wealth, beauty, strength, while they stimulate courage, also madden and intoxicate the soul?
What better and more innocent test of character is there than festive intercourse?
Would you make a bargain with a man in order to try whether he is honest?
Or would you ascertain whether he is licentious by putting your wife or daughter into his hands?
No one would deny that the test proposed is fairer, speedier, and safer than any other.

And such a test will be particularly useful in the political science, which desires to know human natures and characters.