VII
Having spoken of the number of the citizens, we will proceed to
speak of what should be their character. This is a subject which can
be easily understood by any one who casts his eye on the more
celebrated states of Hellas, and generally on the distribution of
races in the habitable world. Those who live in a cold climate and
in Europe are full of spirit, but wanting in intelligence and skill;
and therefore they retain comparative freedom, but have no political
organization, and are incapable of ruling over others. Whereas the
natives of Asia are intelligent and inventive, but they are wanting in
spirit, and therefore they are always in a state of subjection and
slavery. But the Hellenic race, which is situated between them, is
likewise intermediate in character, being high-spirited and also
intelligent. Hence it continues free, and is the best-governed of
any nation, and, if it could be formed into one state, would be able
to rule the world. There are also similar differences in the different
tribes of Hellas; for some of them are of a one-sided nature, and
are intelligent or courageous only, while in others there is a happy
combination of both qualities. And clearly those whom the legislator
will most easily lead to virtue may be expected to be both intelligent
and courageous.
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