We were agreed that parents should rule their children, the elder the younger, the noble the ignoble.

But there were also several other principles, and among them Pindar's 'law of violence.' To whom then is our state to be entrusted?
For many a government is only a victorious faction which has a monopoly of power, and refuses any share to the conquered, lest when they get into office they should remember their wrongs.

Such governments are not polities, but parties; nor are any laws good which are made in the interest of particular classes only, and not of the whole.

And in our state I mean to protest against making any man a ruler because he is rich, or strong, or noble.

But those who are obedient to the laws, and who win the victory of obedience, shall be promoted to the service of the Gods according to the degree of their obedience.