class Quotes

The best political community is one where the middle class has control and is larger than both other classes.

The start of reform is not just to make property equal, but to train noble people not to want more, and to stop lower classes from getting more.

The most perfect political community is one in which the middle class is in control, and outnumbers both of the other classes.

Every man should be responsible to others, nor should anyone be allowed to do just as he pleases; for where absolute freedom is allowed there is nothing to restrain the evil which is inherent in every man. But the principle... ...

To let them share in the highest offices is to take a risk; inevitably, their unjust standards will cause them to commit injustice, and their lack of judgement will lead them into error. On the other hand there is a... ...

Democracy is when the poor, not the wealthy, are the rulers.

A democracy exists whenever those who are free and are not well-off, being in the majority, are in sovereign control of government, an oligarchy when control lies with the rich and better-born, these being few.

Democracy is when the indigent, and not the men of property, are the rulers.

The real difference between democracy and oligarchy is poverty and wealth. Wherever men rule by reason of their wealth, whether they be few or many, that is an oligarchy, and where the poor rule, that is a democracy.

When there is no middle class, and the poor greatly exceed in number, troubles arise, and the state soon comes to an end.

Because the rich are generally few in number, while the poor are many, they appear to be antagonistic, and as the one or the other prevails they form the government. Hence arises the common opinion that there are two kinds... ...

Lower classes rebel to become equal, and equals rebel to become superior. This mindset causes revolutions.