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nor indeed, speaking
generally, has the authority of any individual unless he be a king or the like; but law on
the other hand is a rule, emanating from a certain wisdom and intelligence, that has
compulsory force. Men are hated when they thwart people's inclinations, even though they
do so rightly, whereas law can enjoin virtuous conduct without being invidious.
[13]
But Sparta appears to be
the only or almost the only state in which the lawgiver has paid attention to the nurture
and exercises of the citizens; in most states such matters have been entirely neglected,
and every man lives as he likes, in Cyclops
fashion ‘laying down the law For children and for spouse.’1
[14]
The best thing is then that there should be a proper system of public regulation; but
when the matter is neglected by the community, it would seem to be the duty of the
individual to assist his own children and friends to attain virtue, or even if not able to
do so successfully,2 at all events to make
this his aim. But it would seem to follow from what has been said before, that he will be
more likely to be successful in this if he has acquired the science of legislation. Public
regulations in any case must clearly be established by law, and only good laws will
produce good regulations;
1 Hom. Od. 9.114 f., quoted in Aristot. Pol. 1252b 22.
2 This clause, literally ‘and to be able to do it,’ Bywater would place here; it comes in the mss. after ‘public regulation’ above.