This was the manner of life which prevailed under Cronos, and which we must strive to follow so far as the principle of immortality still abides in us and we live according to law and the dictates of right reason.

But in an oligarchy or democracy, when the governing principle is athirst for pleasure, the laws are trampled under foot, and there is no possibility of salvation.

Is it not often said that there are as many forms of laws as there are governments, and that they have no concern either with any one virtue or with all virtue, but are relative to the will of the government?
Which is as much as to say that 'might makes right.' 'What do you mean ?' I mean that governments enact their own laws, and that every government makes self-preservation its principal aim.

He who transgresses the laws is regarded as an evil-doer, and punished accordingly.

This was one of the unjust principles of government which we mentioned when speaking of the different claims to rule.