Chapter 7

We now proceed to point out what natural disposition the members of the community ought to be of: but this any one will easily perceive who will cast his eye over the states of Greece, of all others the most celebrated, and also the other different nations of this habitable world. Those who live in cold countries, as the north of Europe, are full of courage, but wanting in understanding and the arts: therefore they are very tenacious of their liberty; but, not being politicians, they cannot reduce their neighbours under their power: but the Asiatics, whose understandings are quick, and who are conversant in the arts, are deficient in courage; and therefore are always conquered and the slaves of others: but the Grecians, placed as it were between these two boundaries, so partake of them both as to be at the same time both courageous and sensible; for which reason Greece continues free, and governed in the best manner possible, and capable of commanding the whole world, could they agree upon one system of policy. Now this is the difference between the Grecians and other nations, that the latter have but one of these qualities, whereas in the former they are both happily blended together. Hence it is evident, that those persons ought to be both sensible and courageous who will readily obey a legislator, the object of whose laws is virtue. As to what some persons say, that the military must be mild and tender to those they know, but severe and cruel to those they know not, it is courage which [1328a] makes any one lovely; for that is the faculty of the soul which we most admire: as a proof of this, our resentment rises higher against our friends and acquaintance than against those we know not: for which reason Archilaus accusing his friends says very properly to himself, Shall my friends insult me? The spirit of freedom and command also is what all inherit who are of this disposition for courage is commanding and invincible. It also is not right for any one to say, that you should be severe to those you know not; for this behaviour is proper for no one: nor are those who are of a noble disposition harsh in their manners, excepting only to the wicked; and when they are particularly so, it is, as has been already said, against their friends, when they think they have injured them; which is agreeable to reason: for when those who think they ought to receive a favour from any one do not receive it, beside the injury done them, they consider what they are deprived of: hence the saying, "Cruel are the wars of brothers;" and this, "Those who have greatly loved do greatly hate." And thus we have nearly determined how many the inhabitants of a city ought to be, and what their natural disposition, and also the country how large, and of what sort is necessary; I say nearly, because it is needless to endeavour at as great accuracy in those things which are the objects of the senses as in those which are inquired into by the understanding only.

We now turn to the natural character that members of the community should have. Anyone can easily see what this should be by examining the states of Greece, the most celebrated of all. They should also examine the other nations of the inhabited world. People in cold countries, such as northern Europe, are full of courage but lack understanding and skill in the arts. They therefore cling firmly to their freedom. But because they lack political skill, they cannot bring their neighbors under their control. The Asiatics, by contrast, have quick minds and skill in the arts, but lack courage. They are therefore always conquered and enslaved by others. The Grecians lie, as it were, between these two regions and share the qualities of both. They are both courageous and intelligent. For this reason, Greece remains free and has the best possible government. It could also rule the whole world if the Grecians could agree on one system of government. This distinguishes the Grecians from other nations. Other nations have only one of these qualities, while the Grecians have both, happily combined. Clearly, then, people must be both intelligent and courageous to readily obey a legislator whose laws aim at virtue. Some people say soldiers must be gentle and affectionate toward those they know, but harsh and cruel toward strangers. Yet courage is what [1328a] makes someone lovable, since courage is the quality of the soul we most admire. As evidence, our anger rises higher against friends and acquaintances than against strangers. For this reason, Archilaus, accusing his friends, rightly says to himself: Shall my friends insult me? Everyone with this character also possesses a spirit of freedom and command, because courage is commanding and unconquerable. Nor is it right to say that we should be harsh toward strangers. Such behavior is proper for no one. People of noble character are not harsh in their behavior, except toward the wicked. As already noted, they are especially harsh toward friends when they believe those friends have wronged them. This is reasonable. When people expect a favor from someone and do not receive it, they see more than the injury itself. They also consider what they have been deprived of. Hence the sayings, "Cruel are the wars of brothers," and "Those who have greatly loved do greatly hate." We have now roughly determined how many inhabitants a city should have and what their natural character should be. We have also roughly determined how large its territory must be and what kind of land it needs. I say roughly because matters perceived through the senses do not require the same precision as matters studied through thought alone.