But to calculate their approach, and to join to this foresight the skill which moderates the course of events, and retains in a steady hand the reins of that authority which safely conducts the people through all the dangers to which they expose themselves, is the work of a most illustrious citizen, and of almost divine genius.
There is a fourth kind of government, therefore, which, in my opinion, is preferable to all these: it is that mixed and moderate government which is composed of the three particular forms which I have already noticed.
XXX.

_Laelius._ I am not ignorant, Scipio, that such is your opinion, for I have often heard you say so.

But I do not the less desire, if it is not giving you too much trouble, to hear which you consider the best of these three forms of commonwealths.

For it may be of some use in considering[307] * * * XXXI.

* * * And each commonwealth corresponds to the nature and will of him who governs it.