Plato drew many of his notions (through Egypt, where he resided for…

What constitutes a state? Men who their duties know, But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain. And sovereign law, that state's collected will, O'er thrones and globes elate, Sits empress, crowning good, repressing ill.

Go boldly forth, my simple lay, Whose accents flow with artless ease, Like orient pearls at random strung.

Than all Bocara's vaunted gold, Than all the gems of Samarcand.

Seven hours to law, to soothing slumber seven, Ten to the world allot, and all to heaven.

Of armies on the chequer’d field array’d, And guiltless war in pleasing form display’d; When two bold kings contend with vain alarms, In ivory this, and that in ebon arms.

My opinion is, that power should always be distrusted, in whatever hands it is placed.