There is also a difficulty about the force which he is to
employ; should a king have guards about him by whose aid he may be
able to coerce the refractory? If not, how will he administer his
kingdom? Even if he be the lawful sovereign who does nothing
arbitrarily or contrary to law, still he must have some force
wherewith to maintain the law. In the case of a limited monarchy there
is not much difficulty in answering this question; the king must
have such force as will be more than a match for one or more
individuals, but not so great as that of the people. The ancients
observe this principle when they have guards to any one whom they
appointed dictator or tyrant. Thus, when Dionysius asked the
Syracusans to allow him guards, somebody advised that they should give
him only such a number.
XVI
At this place in the discussion there impends the inquiry respecting
the king who acts solely according to his own will he has now to be
considered. The so-called limited monarchy, or kingship according to
law, as I have already remarked, is not a distinct form of government,
for under all governments, as, for example, in a democracy or
aristocracy, there may be a general holding office for life, and one
person is often made supreme over the administration of a state. A
magistracy of this kind exists at Epidamnus, and also at Opus, but
in the latter city has a more limited power.
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