As for that
multitude of people which a maritime power creates, they are by no
means necessary to a state, nor ought they to make a part of the
citizens; for the mariners and infantry, who have the command, are
freemen, and upon these depends a naval engagement: but when there are
many servants and husbandmen, there they will always have a number of
sailors, as we now see happens to some states, as in Heraclea, where
they man many triremes, though the extent of their city is much
inferior to some others. And thus we determine concerning the country,
the port, the city, the sea, and a maritime power: as to the number of
the citizens, what that ought to be we have already said.
CHAPTER VII
We now proceed to point out what natural disposition the members of
the community ought to be of: but this any one will easily perceive
who will cast his eye over the states of Greece, of all others the
most celebrated, and also the other different nations of this
habitable world. Those who live in cold countries, as the north of
Europe, are full of courage, but wanting in understanding and the
arts: therefore they are very tenacious of their liberty; but, not
being politicians, they cannot reduce their neighbours under their
power: but the Asiatics, whose understandings are quick, and who are
conversant in the arts, are deficient in courage; and therefore are
always conquered and the slaves of others: but the Grecians, placed as
it were between these two boundaries, so partake of them both as to be
at the same time both courageous and sensible; for which reason Greece
continues free, and governed in the best manner possible, and capable
of commanding the whole world, could they agree upon one system of
policy.
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