All men have a claim in a certain
sense, as I have already admitted, but all have not an absolute claim.
The rich claim because they have a greater share in the land, and land
is the common element of the state; also they are generally more
trustworthy in contracts. The free claim under the same tide as the
noble; for they are nearly akin. For the noble are citizens in a truer
sense than the ignoble, and good birth is always valued in a man's own
home and country. Another reason is, that those who are sprung from
better ancestors are likely to be better men, for nobility is
excellence of race. Virtue, too, may be truly said to have a claim,
for justice has been acknowledged by us to be a social virtue, and
it implies all others. Again, the many may urge their claim against
the few; for, when taken collectively, and compared with the few, they
are stronger and richer and better. But, what if the good, the rich,
the noble, and the other classes who make up a state, are all living
together in the same city, Will there, or will there not, be any doubt
who shall rule? No doubt at all in determining who ought to rule in
each of the above-mentioned forms of government. For states are
characterized by differences in their governing bodies-one of them has
a government of the rich, another of the virtuous, and so on.
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