And we may infer that in political institutions the same rule
holds. Egypt witnesses to the antiquity of all these things, for the
Egyptians appear to be of all people the most ancient; and they have
laws and a regular constitution existing from time immemorial. We
should therefore make the best use of what has been already
discovered, and try to supply defects.
I have already remarked that the land ought to belong to those who
possess arms and have a share in the government, and that the
husbandmen ought to be a class distinct from them; and I have
determined what should be the extent and nature of the territory.
Let me proceed to discuss the distribution of the land, and the
character of the agricultural class; for I do not think that
property ought to be common, as some maintain, but only that by
friendly consent there should be a common use of it; and that no
citizen should be in want of subsistence.
As to common meals, there is a general agreement that a well ordered
city should have them; and we will hereafter explain what are our
own reasons for taking this view. They ought, however, to be open to
all the citizens. And yet it is not easy for the poor to contribute
the requisite sum out of their private means, and to provide also
for their household. The expense of religious worship should
likewise be a public charge.
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