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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.