class Quotes

If the poor, for example, because they are more in number, divide among themselves the property of the rich,- is not this unjust? . . this law of confiscation clearly cannot be just.

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

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... ...

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

The form of government is a democracy when the free, who are also poor and the majority, govern, and an oligarchy when the rich and the noble govern, they being at the same time few in number.