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The Republic can either be understood as primarily political or primarily ethical -- that is, mostly concerned with the ideal state or mostly concerned with the ideal person. Personally, I tend to read it in the second way, because it's more interesting that way. For this, the discussion of the different personalities is important.
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"Die Deutschen meinen, daß die Kraft sich in Härte und Grausamkeit offenbaren müsse, sie unterwerfen sich dann gerne und mit Bewunderung:[...]. Daß es Kraft giebt in der Milde und Stille, das glauben sie nicht leicht."
"The Germans believe that power must reveal itself in hardness and cruelty and then submit themselves gladly and with admiration[...]. They do not believe readily that there is power in meekness and calm."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche
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