Two points here present
themselves for consideration: first (1), which is the more eligible
life, that of a citizen who is a member of a state, or that of an
alien who has no political ties; and again (2), which is the best form
of constitution or the best condition of a state, either on the
supposition that political privileges are desirable for all, or for
a majority only? Since the good of the state and not of the individual
is the proper subject of political thought and speculation, and we are
engaged in a political discussion, while the first of these two points
has a secondary interest for us, the latter will be the main subject
of our inquiry.
Now it is evident that the form of government is best in which every
man, whoever he is, can act best and live happily. But even those
who agree in thinking that the life of virtue is the most eligible
raise a question, whether the life of business and politics is or is
not more eligible than one which is wholly independent of external
goods, I mean than a contemplative life, which by some is maintained
to be the only one worthy of a philosopher. For these two lives- the
life of the philosopher and the life of the statesman- appear to
have been preferred by those who have been most keen in the pursuit of
virtue, both in our own and in other ages. Which is the better is a
question of no small moment; for the wise man, like the wise state,
will necessarily regulate his life according to the best end.
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