And surely there may be a city happy
in isolation, which we will assume to be well-governed (for it is
quite possible that a city thus isolated might be well-administered
and have good laws); but such a city would not be constituted with any
view to war or the conquest of enemies- all that sort of thing must be
excluded. Hence we see very plainly that warlike pursuits, although
generally to be deemed honorable, are not the supreme end of all
things, but only means. And the good lawgiver should inquire how
states and races of men and communities may participate in a good
life, and in the happiness which is attainable by them. His enactments
will not be always the same; and where there are neighbors he will
have to see what sort of studies should be practiced in relation to
their several characters, or how the measures appropriate in
relation to each are to be adopted. The end at which the best form
of government should aim may be properly made a matter of future
consideration.
III
Let us now address those who, while they agree that the life of
virtue is the most eligible, differ about the manner of practicing it.
For some renounce political power, and think that the life of the
freeman is different from the life of the statesman and the best of
all; but others think the life of the statesman best.
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