Kitap 7
1334a
but not for the sake of world-wide despotism; and thirdly to hold despotic power over those who deserve to be slaves. Experience supports the testimony of theory, that it is the duty of the lawgiver rather to study how he may frame his legislation both with regard to warfare and in other departments for the object of leisure and of peace. Most military states remain safe while at war but perish when they have won their empire; in peace-time they lose their keen temper, like iron.i.e. an iron blade when not used loses keenness and has to be re-tempered. The lawgiver is to blame, because he did not educate them to be able to employ leisure.
