Chapter 1

No one can doubt that the magistrate ought greatly to interest himself in the care of youth; for where it is neglected it is hurtful to the city, for every state ought to be governed according to its particular nature; for the form and manners of each government are peculiar to itself; and these, as they originally established it, so they usually still preserve it. For instance, democratic forms and manners a democracy; oligarchic, an oligarchy: but, universally, the best manners produce the best government. Besides, as in every business and art there are some things which men are to learn first and be made accustomed to, which are necessary to perform their several works; so it is evident that the same thing is necessary in the practice of virtue. As there is one end in view in every city, it is evident that education ought to be one and the same in each; and that this should be a common care, and not the individual's, as it now is, when every one takes care of his own children separately; and their instructions are particular also, each person teaching them as they please; but what ought to be engaged in ought to be common to all. Besides, no one ought to think that any citizen belongs to him in particular, but to the state in general; for each one is a part of the state, and it is the natural duty of each part to regard the good of the whole: and for this the Lacedaemonians may be praised; for they give the greatest attention to education, and make it public. It is evident, then, that there should be laws concerning education, and that it should be public.

No one can doubt that the magistrate should give great attention to the education of the young. Neglecting education harms the city, because every state should be governed according to its own particular character. Each form of government has its own practices and habits. Just as these practices and habits originally established the government, they usually continue to preserve it. For example, democratic practices and habits preserve a democracy, and oligarchic ones preserve an oligarchy. But in every case, the best habits produce the best government. Besides, every occupation and craft requires people first to learn certain things and develop certain habits to perform their work. Clearly, the same preparation is necessary for practicing virtue. Since every city has a single goal, education should clearly be the same for everyone within it. Education should be a shared responsibility, not an individual one, as it is now. At present, everyone looks after their own children separately and teaches them whatever they please. But education, a task everyone should undertake, should be shared by all. Besides, no one should think that a citizen belongs only to himself rather than to the state as a whole. Each citizen is part of the state, and each part has a natural duty to consider the whole's good. The Lacedaemonians deserve praise for this, because they give education the greatest attention and make it public. Clearly, then, education should be regulated by law and should be public.