(1) The
assemblies are thrown open to all, but either the rich only are
fined for non-attendance, or a much larger fine is inflicted upon
them. (2) to the magistracies, those who are qualified by property
cannot decline office upon oath, but the poor may. (3) In the law
courts the rich, and the rich only, are fined if they do not serve,
the poor are let off with impunity, or, as in the laws of Charondas, a
larger fine is inflicted on the rich, and a smaller one on the poor.
In some states all citizen who have registered themselves are
allowed to attend the assembly and to try causes; but if after
registration they do not attend either in the assembly or at the
courts, heavy fines are imposed upon them. The intention is that
through fear of the fines they may avoid registering themselves, and
then they cannot sit in the law-courts or in the assembly.
concerning (4) the possession of arms, and (5) gymnastic exercises,
they legislate in a similar spirit. For the poor are not obliged to
have arms, but the rich are fined for not having them; and in like
manner no penalty is inflicted on the poor for non-attendance at the
gymnasium, and consequently, having nothing to fear, they do not
attend, whereas the rich are liable to a fine, and therefore they take
care to attend.
These are the devices of oligarchical legislators, and in
democracies they have counter devices.
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