BOOK III - CHAPTER X

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_ It may also be a doubt where the supreme power ought to be lodged.
Shall it be with the majority, or the wealthy, with a number of proper
persons, or one better than the rest, or with a tyrant? But whichever
of these we prefer some difficulty will arise. For what? shall the
poor have it because they are the majority? they may then divide among
themselves, what belongs to the rich: nor is this unjust; because
truly it has been so judged by the supreme power. But what avails it
to point out what is the height of injustice if this is not? Again, if
the many seize into their own hands everything which belongs to the
few, it is evident that the city will be at an end. But virtue will
never destroy what is virtuous; nor can what is right be the ruin of
the state: therefore such a law can never be right, nor can the acts
of a tyrant ever be wrong, for of necessity they must all be just; for
he, from his unlimited power, compels every one to obey his command,
as the multitude oppress the rich. Is it right then that the rich, the
few, should have the supreme power? and what if they be guilty of the
same rapine and plunder the possessions of the majority, that will be
as right as the other: but that all things of this sort are wrong and
unjust is evident. Well then, these of the better sort shall have it:
but must not then all the other citizens live unhonoured, without
sharing the offices of the city; for the offices of a city are its
honours, and if one set of men are always in power, it is evident that
the rest must be without honour. Well then, let it be with one person
of all others the fittest for it: but by this means the power will be
still more contracted, and a greater number than before continue
unhonoured. But some one may say, that it is wrong to let man have the
supreme power and not the law, as his soul is subject to so many
passions. But if this law appoints an aristocracy, or a democracy, how
will it help us in our present doubts? for those things will happen
which we have already mentioned. _

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