But enough of these details; what should be the general policy of
the tyrant is obvious. He ought to show himself to his subjects in the
light, not of a tyrant, but of a steward and a king. He should not
appropriate what is theirs, but should be their guardian; he should be
moderate, not extravagant in his way of life; he should win the
notables by companionship, and the multitude by flattery. For then his
rule will of necessity be nobler and happier, because he will rule
over better men whose spirits are not crushed, over men to whom he
himself is not an object of hatred, and of whom he is not afraid.
His power too will be more lasting. His disposition will be
virtuous, or at least half virtuous; and he will not be wicked, but
half wicked only.
XII
Yet no forms of government are so short-lived as oligarchy and
tyranny. The tyranny which lasted longest was that of Orthagoras and
his sons at Sicyon; this continued for a hundred years. The reason was
that they treated their subjects with moderation, and to a great
extent observed the laws; and in various ways gained the favor of
the people by the care which they took of them. Cleisthenes, in
particular, was respected for his military ability. If report may be
believed, he crowned the judge who decided against him in the games;
and, as some say, the sitting statue in the Agora of Sicyon is the
likeness of this person.
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