8. Explanation of a Paradox of the Ancients in respect to Manners.
The Spirit of the Laws | ||
Footnotes
Plato, in his seventh book of Laws, says that the prfectures of music and gymnic exercises are the most important employments in the city; and, in his "Republic," iii, Damon will tell you, says he, what sounds are capable of corrupting the mind with base sentiments, or of inspiring the contrary virtues.
Diophantes, says Aristotle, Politics, ii. 7, made a law formerly at Athens, that artisans should be slaves to the republic.
Plato, likewise, and Aristotle require slaves to till the land, Laws, viii. Politics, vii. 10. True it is that agriculture was not everywhere exercised by slaves: on the contrary, Aristotle observes the best republics were those in which the citizens themselves tilled the land: but this was brought about by the corruption of the ancient governments, which had become democratic: for in earlier times the cities of Greece were subject to an aristocratic government.
8. Explanation of a Paradox of the Ancients in respect to Manners.
The Spirit of the Laws | ||