And
there must be a corresponding division of actions; the actions of
the naturally better part are to be preferred by those who have it
in their power to attain to two out of the three or to all, for that
is always to every one the most eligible which is the highest
attainable by him. The whole of life is further divided into two
parts, business and leisure, war and peace, and of actions some aim at
what is necessary and useful, and some at what is honorable. And the
preference given to one or the other class of actions must necessarily
be like the preference given to one or other part of the soul and
its actions over the other; there must be war for the sake of peace,
business for the sake of leisure, things useful and necessary for
the sake of things honorable. All these points the statesman should
keep in view when he frames his laws; he should consider the parts
of the soul and their functions, and above all the better and the end;
he should also remember the diversities of human lives and actions.
For men must be able to engage in business and go to war, but
leisure and peace are better; they must do what is necessary and
indeed what is useful, but what is honorable is better. On such
principles children and persons of every age which requires
education should be trained. Whereas even the Hellenes of the
present day who are reputed to be best governed, and the legislators
who gave them their constitutions, do not appear to have framed
their governments with a regard to the best end, or to have given them
laws and education with a view to all the virtues, but in a vulgar
spirit have fallen back on those which promised to be more useful
and profitable.
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