Has anyone read The Republic?

I've read The Republic about three times. It's probably one of the best books you will ever read.

It starts with a simple question, "What is justice?" and moves on to all sorts of things:

Would you do whatever you wanted if you couldn't be caught?

The famous cave analogy for how our knowledge relates to realities.

A consideration of the ideal state, and the faults in other possible regimes.

And then a look at what justice in the afterlife may be like.

And lots more. I hope you enjoy it! Shorter Plato works are easier to start with: try Meno, Apology or Crito.

Yes I've read it.

It is an exciting read, but I recommend working up to it. Start with the Meno, which asks what is virtue, and the Gorgias, which is a kind of preparation for Republic in asking what is justice. Republic answers the question of justice, yes, but also many other questions.

If you love wisdom already, you may seek to work your muscles on lesser works. I suggest

Epictetus, Enchiridion.

Cicero, On Friendship.

And an essay or three by Emerson, that platonist born too late.

Plato's prose is highly refined. It is the talk of the highest and most sophisticated. But by our standards it sounds a little ornate and fancy and drawn out. I believe that is the source of the dullness; the intense discussion is hidden behind politeness. With that in mind, I suggest the translation by Francis Cornford, which cuts all the courtly banter. But we live among wonders of translation and scholarship today, so that is only a suggestion.

Do read the lesser works and get strong so you can enjoy Republic. To have the question of justice finally answered is a profound relief!