Political philosophy is not a simple set of doctrines or theories; rather it is a lifestyle. The life of the political philosopher is a constant struggle between the political and the philosophical. He sees the contradictions that exist at all times in both worlds and lives with the questions more than others. For these reasons the true political philosopher is neither purely political nor purely philosophical. However, a political philosophical life is worth living if you get the right balance between politics and philosophy. Socrates, the founder of political philosophy, believes it is necessary to care about the way one should live individually and collectively, but to hold it higher to try to understand this way of life. Because he believes that it is more important to understand this way of life, he lives with the questions of political philosophy all the time, but he cannot provide assertive answers to the question. For this reason Socrates does not leave a set of theories or doctrines on how to understand political philosophical life; leaving a set of theories or doctrines would imply that I know the answers to this way of life. Illustrated in the Memorabilia and the Oeconomicus, the Socratic writings of Xenophon, are examples of how Socratic philosophy lacks the assertiveness necessary for political life. In the Memorabilia, Xenophon recounts the relationship between Socrates and Critias. Critias resents Socrates for expressing the opinion that Critias has a swine's passion in lusting after Euthydemus, with Euthydemus and others present. Later, when Critias becomes one of the Thirty, he makes a law prohibiting the teaching of the art of speech, an art possessed by Socrates. At another time, Xenophon says Socrates... middle of paper... But when philosophy is used well, it complements political law. With this in mind, the political philosophical life is worth living when it is used to help the politician, because the politician always comes first. Socrates is open to political life, as well as to the possibilities of philosophical life. Socrates held Iscomochus in high regard even though he saw contradictions in his statecraft. It could be said that the true philosopher sees that the political may not be perfectible; however, he holds politics in high regard. Once again, this means that philosophy must assist politics. Politics must not and cannot be neglected while philosophizing. In any case, it takes a person of good character to be a political philosopher. Socrates' healthy skepticism allowed him to follow the middle path necessary for a life of political philosophy.