Answer: because this is that and that is this
Explanation:
I believe the answer is: “It is better that a few should perish than that the whole city should be destroyed,”
Pay attention to this line:
"<em>what have we done that you should wish thus to destroy us from the earth?"</em>
At this point, we can infer that the King hasn't fully made up his mind on whether he should destroy them or not.
When the elders reply with this line:
<em>“It is better that a few should perish than that the whole city should be destroyed,” </em>
The elders basically advance the plot by convincing the king that the act of destroying some of His people is correct.
Foil
3a6+ 4a6+ 6a4+8a6
15a6+6a4
Principle should be the correct word