state Quotes

Those who believe that all virtue is to be found in their own party principles push matters to extremes; they do not consider that disproportion destroys a state.

Now what is just and right is to be interpreted in the sense of 'what is equal'; and that which is right in the sense of being equal is to be considered with reference to the advantage of the state,... ...

Democracies can fall apart and turn into oppressive systems.

. . . Political society exists for the sake of noble actions, and not of mere companionship.

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

Great is the good fortune of a state in which the citizens have a moderate and sufficient property.

Most persons think that a state in order to be happy ought to be large; but even if they are right, they have no idea of what is a large and what a small state.... To the size of states... ...

Men come together in cities in order to live: they remain together in order to live the good life

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... ...

The only stable state is the one in which all men are equal before the law.