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and the upper classes
wish that the best people shall rule; for only so can all parties get what they desire.
Concord appears therefore to mean friendship between citizens, which indeed is the
ordinary use of the term; for it refers to the interests and concerns of life.
[3]
Now concord in this sense exists between good men, since these are of one mind both with
themselves and with one another, as they always stand more or less on the same ground; for
good men's wishes are steadfast, and do not ebb and flow like the tide, and they wish for
just and expedient ends, which they strive to attain in common.
[4]
The base on the other hand are incapable of concord, except in some
small degree, as they are of friendship, since they try to get more than their share of
advantages, and take less than their share of labors and public burdens. And while each
desires this for himself, he spies on his neighbor to prevent him from doing likewise; for
unless they keep watch over one another, the common interests go to ruin. The result is
discord, everybody trying to make others do their duty but refusing to do it themselves.
7.
Benefactors seem to love those whom they benefit more than those who have received
benefits love those who have conferred them; and it is asked why this is so, as it seems
to be unreasonable. The view most generally taken is