'I should like to know at what in your opinion the legislator should aim.' Hear me, then.

There are two mother forms of states--one monarchy, and the other democracy: the Persians have the first in the highest form, and the Athenians the second; and no government can be well administered which does not include both.

There was a time when both the Persians and Athenians had more the character of a constitutional state than they now have.

In the days of Cyrus the Persians were freemen as well as lords of others, and their soldiers were free and equal, and the kings used and honoured all the talent which they could find, and so the nation waxed great, because there was freedom and friendship and communion of soul.

But Cyrus, though a wise general, never troubled himself about the education of his family.