[16]
knowing that all governments—oligarchies as well as the others—have the longest life when they best serve the masses. You will be a wise leader of the people if you do not allow the multitude either to do or to suffer outrage, but see to it that the best among them shall have the honors,1 while the rest shall suffer no impairment of their rights; for these are the first and most important elements of good government.
1 Cf. Isoc. 3.14.