[85]
Those, then, whose office it is to look after the
interests of the state will refrain from that form of
liberality which robs one man to enrich another.
Above all, they will use their best endeavours that1
everyone shall be protected in the possession of his
own property by the fair administration of the law
and the courts, that the poorer classes shall not be
oppressed because of their helplessness, and that
envy shall not stand in the way of the rich, to prevent
them from keeping or recovering possession of what
justly belongs to them; they must strive, too, by
whatever means they can, in peace or in war, to advance the state in power, in territory, and in revenues.
Such service calls for great men; it was commonly
rendered in the days of our ancestors; if men will
perform duties such as these, they will win popularity and glory for themselves and at the same time
render eminent service to the state.
1 Administration of the courts in equity
M. Tullius Cicero. De Officiis. With An English Translation. Walter Miller. Cambridge. Harvard University Press; Cambridge, Mass., London, England. 1913.
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