Some of these are clearly
not democratic offices; for example, the guardianships of women and
children- the poor, not having any slaves, must employ both their
women and children as servants.
Once more: there are three offices according to whose directions the
highest magistrates are chosen in certain states- guardians of the
law, probuli, councillors- of these, the guardians of the law are an
aristocratical, the probuli an oligarchical, the council a
democratical institution. Enough of the different kinds of offices.
BOOK SEVEN
I
HE who would duly inquire about the best form of a state ought first
to determine which is the most eligible life; while this remains
uncertain the best form of the state must also be uncertain; for, in
the natural order of things, those may be expected to lead the best
life who are governed in the best manner of which their
circumstances admit. We ought therefore to ascertain, first of all,
which is the most generally eligible life, and then whether the same
life is or is not best for the state and for individuals.
Assuming that enough has been already said in discussions outside
the school concerning the best life, we will now only repeat what is
contained in them. Certainly no one will dispute the propriety of that
partition of goods which separates them into three classes, viz.
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