In such democracies every one lives as he pleases, or in the words
of Euripides, 'according to his fancy.' But this is all wrong; men
should not think it slavery to live according to the rule of the
constitution; for it is their salvation.
I have now discussed generally the causes of the revolution and
destruction of states, and the means of their preservation and
continuance.
X
I have still to speak of monarchy, and the causes of its destruction
and preservation. What I have said already respecting forms of
constitutional government applies almost equally to royal and to
tyrannical rule. For royal rule is of the nature of an aristocracy,
and a tyranny is a compound of oligarchy and democracy in their most
extreme forms; it is therefore most injurious to its subjects, being
made up of two evil forms of government, and having the perversions
and errors of both. These two forms of monarchy are contrary in
their very origin. The appointment of a king is the resource of the
better classes against the people, and he is elected by them out of
their own number, because either he himself or his family excel in
virtue and virtuous actions; whereas a tyrant is chosen from the
people to be their protector against the notables, and in order to
prevent them from being injured.
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