Pagina 335 de 1391

And now let us set another city over against another man. The

next form of government is oligarchy, in which the rule is of the

rich only; nor is it difficult to see how such a State arises.

The decline begins with the possession of gold and silver;

illegal modes of expenditure are invented; one draws another on,

and the multitude are infected; riches outweigh virtue; lovers of

money take the place of lovers of honour; misers of politicians;

and, in time, political privileges are confined by law to the

rich, who do not shrink from violence in order to effect their

purposes.