In the next place, it is dubious how this equality will be possessed, whether it is necessary that the property of five hundred should be divided among a thousand, and that the thousand should have equal power with the five hundred; or whether the equality ought not to be established after this manner. But shall we say that it is requisite, indeed, thus to divide; and afterwards having taken an equal number, both from the five hundred, and the thousand, that these should possess absolute power over the divisions and the courts of justice? Whether, therefore, will this polity be most just according to democratical justice, or rather that which is according to multitude? For the democrats assert that to be just which is approved of by the majority; but the oligarchics, that which is conformable to the opinion of men of the greatest property; for they say it is necessary to judge according to the quantity of property. Both the assertions, however, possess inequality and injustice. For if the just is that which is conformable to the opinion of a few, this will produce a tyranny. For if one man should happen to have more than other rich men, this man according to oligarchical justice, has alone a right to the supreme power; but if superiority of numbers is to prevail, injustice will then take place, by confiscating the property of the rich and the few, as we have before observed. From those things, therefore, which both define to be just, we must consider what the equality is which is acknowledged both by the democrats and oligarchics. For they say that ought to possess the supreme authority which is conformable to the opinion of the majority of the citizens. Be it so, therefore, yet not entirely. But since it happens that there are two parts of which a city consists, viz. the rich and the poor, let that possess supreme authority which is conformable to the opinion of both these, or to the opinion of the majority. If, however, there should happen to be contrary opinions, let that be established which is approved of by the greater part, and by those who have a greater revenue. Thus, if there should be ten of the one, and twenty of the other, and six rich men are of one opinion, but fifteen poor men of another; and if four rich men, indeed, are added to the poor, and to the rich five poor men, then whichever census surpasses, when both parts are counted, let that prevail. But if they should happen to be equal, this doubt must be considered as common; as now, if an assembly or court of justice were divided in their opinions; for then the question must either be determined by lot, or something else of this kind must be done. With respect to the equal, however, and the just, though it is very difficult to discover the truth concerning them, yet at the same time it is easier to discover it than to persuade those who are able to make exorbitant acquisitions. For those who are inferior in power always seek after equality and justice; but the powerful pay no attention to it.
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