Final answer:
Guardians or "warriors" need to balance loyalty, obedience, and adherence to a moral and ethical code. Their training starts from a young age to promote strong character and virtue. The most virtuous can become ruler philosophers, maintaining the order and legality within the state.
Step-by-step explanation:
Guardians or "warriors" need to maintain a balance that includes loyalty to their rulers, obedience to the laws, and adherence to a strict moral and ethical code. They begin training at a young age to ensure they develop strong character, emphasize the importance of courage and honor, and instill patriotic feelings. The idea is to prevent them from being exposed to negative narratives that could deter them from their path, typified by the communal living, common ownership of children and property, and a life devoid of fear of death. Those who excel in virtue, both morally and intellectually, may rise to become philosopher-kings, ruling over the city-state with wisdom and justice. This system, as outlined in historical texts, demonstrated that the power of soldiers was not just military but also extended to creating and managing vigorous legal systems. The purpose was to maintain an equilibrium where warriors could not amass enough power to challenge the system but were important enough to be indispensable in the protection and administration of the state.