By adding the beginning of the "State" to the collection of selected writings of Plato, I hope to provide new inspiration for engaging with this significant work. It is a self-contained whole that does not require prior knowledge of Platonic philosophy, particularly the theory of ideas. Among the participants in the dialogue, three groups can be distinguished. The first is centered around Socrates, the second around Cephalus, and the third around Thrasymachus. Adeimantus and Glaucon are closely related to Socrates, Cephalus is accompanied by his sons Polemarchus, Lysias, and Euthydemus, while Thrasymachus is associated with Charmantides and Cleitophon. Socrates is portrayed in the first book of the "State" as vividly and, it seems, historically accurately as possible. We can see that he enjoys a high reputation due to his wisdom from the behavior of the venerable old man.