BOOK VII - CHAPTER V

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_ What we have said concerning a city may nearly be applied to a
country; for as to what soil it should be, every one evidently will
commend it if it is such as is sufficient in itself to furnish what
will make the inhabitants happy; for which purpose it must be able to
supply them with all the necessaries of life; for it is the having
these in plenty, without any want, which makes them content. As to its
extent, it should be such as may enable the inhabitants to live at
their ease with freedom and temperance. Whether we have done right or
wrong in fixing this limit to the territory shall be considered more
minutely hereafter, when we come particularly to inquire into
property, and what fortune is requisite for a man to live on, and how
and in what manner they ought to employ it; for there are many doubts
upon this question, while each party insists upon their own plan of
life being carried to an excess, the one of severity, the other of
indulgence. What the situation of the country should be it is not
difficult to determine, in some particulars respecting that we ought
to be advised by those who are skilful in military affairs. It should
be difficult of access to an enemy, but easy to the inhabitants: and
as we said, that the number of [1327a] inhabitants ought to be such as
can come under the eye of the magistrate, so should it be with the
country; for then it is easily defended. As to the position of the
city, if one could place it to one's wish, it is convenient to fix it
on the seaside: with respect to the country, one situation which it
ought to have has been already mentioned, namely, that it should be so
placed as easily to give assistance to all places, and also to receive
the necessaries of life from all parts, and also wood, or any other
materials which may happen to be in the country. _

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