are easily influenced to behave most disgracefully and abominably in absolutely every way first toward their own selves and next toward other people.  Those, however, who have been well brought up and educated are purposed not to wrong any one and least of all him who cared for their rearing and education.  If any one, accordingly, shows himself wicked and ungrateful, do not entrust him with any such position as will enable him to effect any harm:  if even so he rebels, let him be tried and punished.  Do not be afraid that any one will blame you for this, if you carry out all my injunctions.  For in taking vengeance on the wrongdoer you will be guilty of no sin any more than the physician who burns and cuts.  All will pronounce the man justly treated, because after partaking of the same rearing and education as the rest he plotted against you.—­This is the course of action I advise in the case of the senators and knights.

[-27-] “A standing army should be supported, drawn from the citizens, the subject nations, and the allies, in one case more, in another less, province by province, as the necessities of the case demand; and they ought to be always under arms and make a practice of warfare continually.  They must have secured winter-quarters at the most opportune points, and serve for a definite time, so that a certain period of active life may remain for them before old age.  For, separated so far as we are from the frontiers of the empire, with enemies living near us on every side, we should otherwise no longer be able to count on auxiliaries in the case of emergencies.  Again, if we allow all those of military age to have arms and to practice warlike pursuits, quarrels and civil wars will always be arising among them.  However, if we prevent them from doing this and then need their assistance at all in battle, we shall always have to face danger with inexperienced and untrained soldiers at our back.  For this reason I submit the proposition that most of them live without arms and away from forts; but that the hardiest and those most in need of a livelihood be registered and kept in practice.  They themselves will fight better by devoting their leisure to this single business; and the rest will the more easily farm, manage ships, and attend to the other pursuits of peace, if they are not forced to be called out for service, but have others to stand as their guardians.  The most active and vigorous element, that is, which is oftenest obliged to live by robbery, will be supported without harming others, and all the rest of the population will lead a life free from danger.

[-28-] “From what source, then, will the money come for these warriors and for the other expenses that will be found necessary?  I shall make this point clear, with only the short preliminary statement that even were we under a democracy, we should in any case need money.  We can not survive without soldiers, and without pay none of them will serve.  Hence let us not feel downhearted in the belief that