But the best proof of a happy mixture of a democracy and
an oligarchy is this, when a person may properly call the same state a
democracy and an oligarchy. It is evident that those who speak of it
in this manner are induced to it because both these governments are
there well blended together: and indeed this is common to all mediums,
that the extremes of each side should be discerned therein, as at
Lacedaemon; for many affirm that it is a democracy from the many
particulars in which it follows that form of government; as for
instance, in the first place, in the bringing up of their children,
for the rich and poor are brought up in the same manner; and their
education is such that the children of the poor may partake of it; and
the same rules are observed when they are youths and men, there is no
distinction between a rich person and a poor one; and in their public
tables the same provision is served to all. The rich also wear only
such clothes as the poorest man is able to purchase. Moreover, with
respect to two magistracies of the highest rank, one they have a right
to elect to, the other to fill; namely, the senate and the ephori.
Others consider it as an oligarchy, the principles of which it follows
in many things, as in choosing all their officers by vote, and not by
lot; in there being but a few who have a right to sit in judgment on
capital causes and the like. Indeed, a state which is well composed of
two others ought to resemble them both, and neither, Such a state
ought to have its means of preservation in itself, and not without;
and when I say in itself, I do not mean that it should owe this to the
forbearance of their neighbours, for this may happen to a bad
government, but to every member of the community's not being willing
that there should be the least alteration in their constitution.
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