It is
evident, again, what an influence honor exerts and how it is a cause
of revolution. Men who are themselves dishonored and who see others
obtaining honors rise in rebellion; the honor or dishonor when
undeserved is unjust; and just when awarded according to merit.
Again, superiority is a cause of revolution when one or more persons
have a power which is too much for the state and the power of the
government; this is a condition of affairs out of which there arises a
monarchy, or a family oligarchy. And therefore, in some places, as
at Athens and Argos, they have recourse to ostracism. But how much
better to provide from the first that there should be no such
pre-eminent individuals instead of letting them come into existence
and then finding a remedy.
Another cause of revolution is fear. Either men have committed
wrong, and are afraid of punishment, or they are expecting to suffer
wrong and are desirous of anticipating their enemy. Thus at Rhodes the
notables conspired against the people through fear of the suits that
were brought against them. Contempt is also a cause of insurrection
and revolution; for example, in oligarchies- when those who have no
share in the state are the majority, they revolt, because they think
that they are the stronger. Or, again, in democracies, the rich
despise the disorder and anarchy of the state; at Thebes, for example,
where, after the battle of Oenophyta, the bad administration of the
democracy led to its ruin.
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