Since, however, we have said, that there are three upright polities; but of these, that is necessarily the best which is administered by the best men; and a polity of this kind is that in which there happens to be one man, or a whole family, or a multitude, excelling all the rest in virtue, who are able to govern and be governed with a view to the most eligible life; and since in the first part of this treatise we have shown that the virtue of a man and of a citizen is necessarily the same in the best city;—this being the case, it is evident that after the same manner, and through the same things, a worthy man is produced, and a city, the government of which is aristocratical or royal. Hence, it will be nearly the same education and manners which make a worthy man, as make a good citizen and a good king. These things, therefore, being discussed, we must now endeavour to speak concerning the best polity, and shew after what manner it is produced, and how it subsists. For it is necessary that an appropriate enquiry should be made respecting this.
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