In a monarchy, on the other hand, this natural and universal league of the stupid against those who are possessed of intellectual advantages is a one-sided affair; it exists only from below, for in a monarchy talent and intelligence receive a natural advocacy and support from above.  In the first place, the position of the monarch himself is much too high and too firm for him to stand in fear of any sort of competition.  In the next place, he serves the State more by his will than by his intelligence; for no intelligence could ever be equal to all the demands that would in his case be made upon it.  He is therefore compelled to be always availing himself of other men’s intelligence.  Seeing that his own interests are securely bound up with those of his country; that they are inseparable from them and one with them, he will naturally give the preference to the best men, because they are his most serviceable instruments, and he will bestow his favour upon them—­as soon, that is, as he can find them; which is not so difficult, if only an honest search be made.  Just in the same way even ministers of State have too much advantage over rising politicians to need to regard them with jealousy; and accordingly for analogous reasons they are glad to single out distinguished men and set them to work, in order to make use of their powers for themselves.  It is in this way that intelligence has always under a monarchical government a much better chance against its irreconcilable and ever-present foe, stupidity; and the advantage which it gains is very great.

In general, the monarchical form of government is that which is natural to man; just as it is natural to bees and ants, to a flight of cranes, a herd of wandering elephants, a pack of wolves seeking prey in common, and many other animals, all of which place one of their number at the head of the business in hand.  Every business in which men engage, if it is attended with danger—­every campaign, every ship at sea—­must also be subject to the authority of one commander; everywhere it is one will that must lead.  Even the animal organism is constructed on a monarchical principle:  it is the brain alone which guides and governs, and exercises the hegemony.  Although heart, lungs, and stomach contribute much more to the continued existence of the whole body, these philistines cannot on that account be allowed to guide and lead.  That is a business which belongs solely to the brain; government must proceed from one central point.  Even the solar system is monarchical.  On the other hand, a republic is as unnatural as it is unfavourable to the higher intellectual life and the arts and sciences.  Accordingly we find that everywhere in the world, and at all times, nations, whether civilised or savage, or occupying a position between the two, are always under monarchical government.  The rule of many as Homer said, is not a good thing:  let there be one ruler, one king;

  [Greek:  Ouk agathon polykoiraniae-eis koiranos esto
  Eis basoleus.] [1]