§2.1273aκαὶ ἔβλαψαν ἤδη τὴν πόλιν τὴν τῶν Λακεδαιμονίων.
And they have already harmed the city of the Lacedaemonians.
τὰ μὲν οὖν πλεῖστα τῶν ἐπιτιμηθέντων ἂν διὰ τὰς παρεκβάσεις κοινὰ τυγχάνει πάσαις ὄντα ταῖς εἰρημέναις πολιτείαις· τῶν δὲ παρὰ τὴν ὑπόθεσιν τῆς ἀριστοκρατίας καὶ τῆς πολιτείας τὰ μὲν εἰς δῆμον ἐκκλίνει μᾶλλον, τὰ δʼ εἰς ὀλιγαρχίαν.
Therefore, most of the things that would be censured on account of the deviations happen to be common to all the mentioned constitutions; but among the deviations from the principle of aristocracy and of the polity, some incline more toward the people, and others toward oligarchy.
τοῦ μὲν γὰρ τὰ μὲν προσάγειν τὰ δὲ μὴ προσάγειν πρὸς τὸν δῆμον οἱ βασιλεῖς κύριοι μετὰ τῶν γερόντων, ἂν ὁμογνωμονῶσι πάντες, εἰ δὲ μή, καὶ τούτων ὁ δῆμος.
For as to bringing some matters before the people and not bringing others, the kings together with the elders have authority if they are all of one mind, but if not, the people have authority over these matters as well.
ἃ δʼ ἂν εἰσφέρωσιν οὗτοι, οὐ διακοῦσαι μόνον ἀποδιδόασι τῷ δήμῳ τὰ δόξαντα τοῖς ἄρχουσιν, ἀλλὰ κύριοι κρίνειν εἰσὶ καὶ τῷ βουλομένῳ τοῖς εἰσφερομένοις ἀντειπεῖν ἔξεστιν, ὅπερ ἐν ταῖς ἑτέραις πολιτείαις οὐκ ἔστιν.
And as for the things which these men bring forward, they do not give the things decided by the rulers to the people only to hear, but the people have authority to judge, and it is permitted for anyone who wishes to speak against the things introduced, which is not the case in the other constitutions.
τὸ δὲ τὰς πενταρχίας κυρίας οὔσας πολλῶν καὶ μεγάλων ὑφʼ αὑτῶν αἱρετὰς εἶναι, καὶ τὴν τῶν ἑκατὸν ταύτας αἱρεῖσθαι, τὴν μεγίστην ἀρχήν, ἔτι δὲ ταύτας πλείονα ἄρχειν χρόνον τῶν ἄλλων (καὶ γὰρ ἐξεληλυθότες ἄρχουσι καὶ μέλλοντες) ὀλιγαρχικόν, τὸ δὲ ἀμίσθους καὶ μὴ κληρωτὰς ἀριστοκρατικὸν θετέον, καὶ εἴ τι τοιοῦτον ἕτερον, καὶ τὸ τὰς δίκας ὑπὸ τῶν ἀρχείων δικάζεσθαι πάσας (καὶ μὴ ἄλλας ὑπʼ ἄλλων, καθάπερ ἐν Λακεδαίμονι).
On the other hand, that the boards of five, being authorities over many and great matters, are self-elected, and that they elect the board of One Hundred, which is the greatest office, and further that these rule for a longer time than the others (for they rule both when they have gone out of office and when they are about to enter it), must be regarded as oligarchical; but that they are without pay and not chosen by lot must be set down as aristocratical, and if there is any other such thing, and also that all lawsuits are judged by the magistrates (and not some by some and others by others, as in Lacedaemon).
παρεκβαίνει δὲ τῆς ἀριστοκρατίας ἡ τάξις τῶν Καρχηδονίων μάλιστα πρὸς τὴν ὀλιγαρχίαν κατά τινα διάνοιαν ἣ συνδοκεῖ τοῖς πολλοῖς· οὐ γὰρ μόνον ἀριστίνδην ἀλλὰ καὶ πλουτίνδην οἴονται δεῖν αἱρεῖσθαι τοὺς ἄρχοντας· ἀδύνατον γὰρ τὸν ἀποροῦντα καλῶς ἄρχειν καὶ σχολάζειν.
And the arrangement of the Carthaginians deviates from aristocracy especially toward oligarchy according to a certain way of thinking which is agreed upon by the many; for they think that the rulers should be elected not only by merit but also by wealth, since it is impossible for a needy person to rule well and to have leisure.
εἴπερ οὖν τὸ μὲν αἱρεῖσθαι πλουτίνδην ὀλιγαρχικὸν τὸ δὲ κατʼ ἀρετὴν ἀριστοκρατικόν, αὕτη τις ἂν εἴη τάξις τρίτη, καθʼ ἥνπερ συντέτακται τοῖς Καρχηδονίοις τὰ περὶ τὴν πολιτείαν· αἱροῦνται γὰρ εἰς δύο ταῦτα βλέποντες, καὶ μάλιστα τὰς μεγίστας, τούς τε βασιλεῖς καὶ τοὺς στρατηγούς.
Therefore, if indeed to elect by wealth is oligarchical and by virtue is aristocratical, this would be a certain third arrangement according to which the matters concerning the constitution have been organized for the Carthaginians; for they elect by looking to these two things, and especially the greatest offices, both the kings and the generals.
δεῖ δὲ νομίζειν ἁμάρτημα νομοθέτου τὴν παρέκβασιν εἶναι τῆς ἀριστοκρατίας ταύτην.
But we must consider this deviation from aristocracy to be an error of the legislator.
ἐξ ἀρχῆς γὰρ τοῦθʼ ὁρᾶν ἐστι τῶν ἀναγκαιοτάτων, ὅπως οἱ βέλτιστοι δύνωνται σχολάζειν καὶ μηδὲν ἀσχημονεῖν, μὴ μόνον ἄρχοντες ἀλλὰ μηδʼ ἰδιωτεύοντες.
For from the beginning, this is one of the most necessary things to see to, how the best men may be able to have leisure and do nothing unseemly, not only when ruling but not even when living as private citizens.
εἰ δὲ δεῖ βλέπειν καὶ πρὸς εὐπορίαν χάριν σχολῆς, φαῦλον τὸ τὰς μεγίστας ὠνητὰς εἶναι τῶν ἀρχῶν, τήν τε βασιλείαν καὶ τὴν στρατηγίαν.
And if it is necessary to look also to wealth for the sake of leisure, it is a bad thing that the greatest of the offices, both the kingship and the generalship, are purchasable.
ἔντιμον γὰρ ὁ νόμος οὗτος ποιεῖ τὸν πλοῦτον μᾶλλον τῆς ἀρετῆς, καὶ τὴν πόλιν ὅλην φιλοχρήματον.
For this law makes wealth more honored than virtue, and the whole city fond of money.
ὅ τι δʼ ἂν ὑπολάβῃ τίμιον εἶναι τὸ κύριον, ἀνάγκη καὶ τὴν τῶν ἄλλων πολιτῶν δόξαν ἀκολουθεῖν τούτοις.
And whatever the ruling authority supposes to be honored, the opinion of the other citizens also must follow these things.
ὅπου δὲ μὴ μάλιστα ἀρετὴ τιμᾶται, ταύτην οὐχ οἷόν τε βεβαίως ἀριστοκρατεῖσθαι τὴν πολιτείαν.
But where virtue is not most honored, it is not possible for this constitution to be securely aristocratical.
§2.1273bἐθίζεσθαι δʼ εὔλογον κερδαίνειν τοὺς ὠνουμένους, ὅταν δαπανήσαντες ἄρχωσιν· ἄτοπον γὰρ εἰ πένης μὲν ὢν ἐπιεικὴς δὲ βουλήσεται κερδαίνειν, φαυλότερος δʼ ὢν οὐ βουλήσεται δαπανήσας.
And it is reasonable to expect that those who buy their offices will accustom themselves to make a profit, when they rule after having spent money; for it is absurd if a man who is poor but decent will wish to make a profit, but a worse man, after having spent money, will not wish to do so.
διὸ δεῖ τοὺς δυναμένους ἄριστʼ ἀρχεῖν, τούτους ἄρχειν.
Therefore, those who are able to rule best, these must rule.
βέλτιον δʼ, εἰ καὶ προεῖτο τὴν εὐπορίαν τῶν ἐπιεικῶν ὁ νομοθέτης, ἀλλὰ ἀρχόντων γε ἐπιμελεῖσθαι τῆς σχολῆς.
And it is better, even if the legislator neglected the wealth of decent men, at least to attend to the leisure of the rulers.
φαῦλον δʼ ἂν δόξειεν εἶναι καὶ τὸ πλείους ἀρχὰς τὸν αὐτὸν ἄρχειν· ὅπερ εὐδοκιμεῖ παρὰ τοῖς Καρχηδονίοις· ἓν γὰρ ὑφʼ ἑνὸς ἔργον ἄριστʼ ἀποτελεῖται.
And it would seem to be a bad thing also for the same person to hold several offices; which is highly esteemed among the Carthaginians; for one work is best accomplished by one person.
δεῖ δʼ ὅπως γίνηται τοῦθʼ ὁρᾶν τὸν νομοθέτην, καὶ μὴ προστάττειν τὸν αὐτὸν αὐλεῖν καὶ σκυτοτομεῖν.
And the legislator must see to it that this happens, and not command the same person to play the flute and make shoes.
ὥσθʼ ὅπου μὴ μικρὰ ἡ πόλις, πολιτικώτερον πλείονας μετέχειν τῶν ἀρχῶν, καὶ δημοτικώτερον· κοινότερόν τε γὰρ καθάπερ εἴπομεν καὶ κάλλιον ἕκαστον ἀποτελεῖται τῶν αὐτῶν καὶ θᾶττον.
So, where the city is not small, it is more constitutional for more people to share in the offices, and more democratic; for as we said, each of the same things is accomplished more commonly, more finely, and more quickly.
δῆλον δὲ τοῦτο ἐπὶ τῶν πολεμικῶν καὶ τῶν ναυτικῶν· ἐν τούτοις γὰρ ἀμφοτέροις διὰ πάντων ὡς εἰπεῖν διελήλυθε τὸ ἄρχειν καὶ τὸ ἄρχεσθαι.
And this is clear in military and naval affairs; for in both of these, the ruling and being ruled has, so to speak, gone through all.
ὀλιγαρχικῆς δʼ οὔσης τῆς πολιτείας ἄριστα ἐκφεύγουσι τῷ πλουτεῖν αἰεί τι τοῦ δήμου μέρος, ἐκπέμποντες ἐπὶ τὰς πόλεις.
But although the constitution is oligarchical, they best escape danger by making some part of the people always rich, sending them out to the cities.
τούτῳ γὰρ ἰῶνται καὶ ποιοῦσι μόνιμον τὴν πολιτείαν.
For by this they apply a remedy and make the constitution stable.
ἀλλὰ τουτί ἐστι τύχης ἔργον, δεῖ δὲ ἀστασιάστους εἶναι διὰ τὸν νομοθέτην.
Yet this is a work of fortune, whereas they ought to be free from factional strife through the legislator.
νῦν δέ, ἂν ἀτυχία γένηταί τις καὶ τὸ πλῆθος ἀποστῇ τῶν ἀρχομένων, οὐδὲν ἔστι φάρμακον διὰ τῶν νόμων τῆς ἡσυχίας.
But as it is, if some misfortune occurs and the multitude of the ruled revolts, there is no remedy through the laws to ensure peace.
περὶ μὲν οὖν τῆς Λακεδαιμονίων πολιτείας καὶ Κρητικῆς καὶ τῆς Καρχηδονίων, αἵπερ δικαίως εὐδοκιμοῦσι, τοῦτον ἔχει τὸν τρόπον.
Concerning, then, the Lacedaemonian constitution and the Cretan and that of the Carthaginians, which are justly held in high esteem, they are in this condition.
τῶν δὲ ἀποφηναμένων τι περὶ πολιτείας ἔνιοι μὲν οὐκ ἐκοινώνησαν πράξεων πολιτικῶν οὐδʼ ὡντινωνοῦν, ἀλλὰ διετέλεσαν ἰδιωτεύοντες τὸν βίον, περὶ ὧν εἴ τι ἀξιόλογον, εἴρηται σχεδὸν περὶ πάντων, ἔνιοι δὲ νομοθέται γεγόνασιν, οἱ μὲν ταῖς οἰκείαις πόλεσιν οἱ δὲ καὶ τῶν ὀθνείων τισί, πολιτευθέντες αὐτοί· καὶ τούτων οἱ μὲν νόμων ἐγένοντο δημιουργοὶ μόνον, οἱ δὲ καὶ πολιτείας, οἷον καὶ Λυκοῦργος καὶ Σόλων· οὗτοι γὰρ καὶ νόμους καὶ πολιτείας κατέστησαν.
Of those who have declared something concerning a constitution, some did not participate in political actions of any kind, but continued to live their lives as private citizens, concerning whom, if there is anything worthy of note, it has been said of almost all; but others have become legislators, some for their own cities and others for some foreign ones, having been politically active themselves; and of these, some became creators of laws only, and others of a constitution as well, such as Lycurgus and Solon; for they established both laws and constitutions.
περὶ μὲν οὖν τῆς Λακεδαιμονίων εἴρηται, Σόλωνα δʼ ἔνιοι μὲν οἴονται νομοθέτην γενέσθαι σπουδαῖον· ὀλιγαρχίαν τε γὰρ καταλῦσαι λίαν ἄκρατον οὖσαν, καὶ δουλεύοντα τὸν δῆμον παῦσαι, καὶ δημοκρατίαν καταστῆσαι τὴν πάτριον, μείξαντα καλῶς τὴν πολιτείαν· εἶναι γὰρ τὴν μὲν ἐν Ἀρείῳ πάγῳ βουλὴν ὀλιγαρχικόν, τὸ δὲ τὰς ἀρχὰς αἱρετὰς ἀριστοκρατικόν, τὰ δὲ δικαστήρια δημοτικόν.
Concerning the Lacedaemonian constitution, then, it has been said; but as for Solon, some think he was an excellent legislator; for they say that he dissolved an oligarchy that was too unmixed, and put an end to the slavery of the people, and established the ancestral democracy, by mixing the constitution well; for that the council in Areopagus is oligarchical, the election of the offices is aristocratical, and the courts are democratic.