BOOK VII - CHAPTER VIII

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_ As in natural bodies those things are not admitted to be parts of them
without which the whole would not exist, so also it is evident that in
a political state everything that is necessary thereunto is not to be
considered as a part of it, nor any other community from whence one
whole is made; for one thing ought to be common and the same to the
community, whether they partake of it equally or unequally, as, for
instance, food, land, or the like; but when one thing is for the
benefit of one person, and another for the benefit of another, in this
there is nothing like a community, excepting that one makes it and the
other uses it; as, for instance, between any instrument employed in
making any work, and the workmen, as there is nothing common between
the house and the builder, but the art of the builder is employed on
the house. Thus property is necessary for states, but property is no
part of the state, though many species of it have life; but a city is
a community of equals, for the purpose of enjoying the best life
possible: but the happiest life is the best which consists in the
perfect practice of virtuous energies: as therefore some persons have
great, others little or no opportunity of being employed in these, it
is evident that this is the cause of the difference there is between
the different cities and communities there are to be found; for while
each of these endeavour to acquire what is best by various and
different means, they give [1328b] rise to different modes of living
and different forms of government. We are now to consider what those
things are without which a city cannot possibly exist; for what we
call parts of the city must of necessity inhere in it: and this we
shall plainly understand, if we know the number of things necessary to
a city: first, the inhabitants must have food: secondly, arts, for
many instruments are necessary in life: thirdly, arms, for it is
necessary that the community should have an armed force within
themselves, both to support their government against those of their
own body who might refuse obedience to it, and also to defend it from
those who might attempt to attack it from without: fourthly, a certain
revenue, as well for the internal necessities of the state as for the
business of war: fifthly, which is indeed the chief concern, a
religious establishment: sixthly in order, but first of all in
necessity, a court to determine both criminal and civil causes. These
things are absolutely necessary, so to speak, in every state; for a
city is a number of people not accidentally met together, but with a
purpose of ensuring to themselves sufficient independency and
self-protection; and if anything necessary for these purposes is
wanting, it is impossible that in such a situation these ends can be
obtained. It is necessary therefore that a city should be capable of
acquiring all these things: for this purpose a proper number of
husbandmen are necessary to procure food, also artificers and
soldiers, and rich men, and priests and judges, to determine what is
right and proper. _

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