For it is clear that there are great differences in the power of regions to produce good men: heat and cold, and water and food, have great effects both on body and soul; and those spots are peculiarly fortunate in which the air is holy, and the Gods are pleased to dwell.

To all this the legislator must attend, so far as in him lies.
BOOK VI.

And now we are about to consider (1) the appointment of magistrates; (2) the laws which they will have to administer must be determined.

I may observe by the way that laws, however good, are useless and even injurious unless the magistrates are capable of executing them.

And therefore (1) the intended rulers of our imaginary state should be tested from their youth upwards until the time of their election; and (2) those who are to elect them ought to be trained in habits of law, that they may form a right judgment of good and bad men.
But uneducated colonists, who are unacquainted with each other, will not be likely to choose well.