Plato writes in “Phaedrus” that if Wisdom has a visible image, men would be transported by her beauty and loveliness, and be roused to pursue wisdom above all else. But alas, we have no eye for wisdom; Plutarch relates a story of the legendary lawgiver Lycurgus that suggests the true meaning of the law, “eye for eye”.
The well-to-do citizens resented Lycurgus’ radical reform, denounced him and pelted him, wishing to stone him to death. He successfully eluded all except Alcander, who put out one of his eyes by a stroke of his staff. Later on, the people voted to punish Alcander and hand him over to Lycurgus. When Lycurgus received him, he did not treat him ill nor blame him, but compelled him to live with him. He brought it to pass that Alcander had only commendation for Lycurgus and his manner of living, and became enamoured of this discipline. Lycurgus dedicated a memorial of his unhappy experience in the shrine of Athena. He gave to her the added epithet of Optilletis; for the Dorians in this part of the world call the eyes ‘ optics (optilloi).’
Alcander did not understand the justice of Lycurgus’ laws nor the uprightness of his person. Instead of punishing him according to the law of retaliation, Lycurgus taught him the way of right living by example. In effect, Lycurgus, who lost an eye, gave the youth, who was blind to virtues, a discerning eye for wisdom. This is the true meaning of of the law, “life for life” and “eye for eye”. This is why he dedicated a memorial to Athena, the goddess of wisdom, with the epithet of Optilletis (eye).
Similarly, Paul the Apostle writes that the Galatians would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to him, because he first opened their eyes so that they perceived the truth of his Gospel that set them free.
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