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Article THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ATHENIANS. ← Page 3 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Constitution Of The Athenians.
which shall bind all the citizens ; you will there see the good punishing the wicked , you will behold honest men deliberating on what concerns the public welfare ; they will not suffer ignorant and furious men , to take part in their deliberations , hindering them from addressing the people , and even from as isting at the assemblies : from these innovationsalthough by their nature excellentyou
, , will soon perceive , that the sceptre will be no longer in the handsof the populace , and that our actual sovereigns will sink into the condition of subjects . There is no state where impunity is more frequent than at Athens . —It is not permitted here to beat a slave , he will not even ive way to you on the road for you to pass . I will now shew the
g source of this custom : If the law permitted a freeman to beat a slave , a stranger , or a freed man , he might lay violent hands on a citizen of Athens , taking him for a slave ; for . here the populace ' are not better habited than the slaves , and strangers ; they have no exterior distinction . It is also astonishing to see , to what a degree of luxury the slaves
are tolerated , and what magnificence is displa 3 ed amongst them ; it is evident , nevertheless , that the Republic indulges them thus through policy . They have need of money to keep up their naval force ; it is necessary , therefore , that the master treat his slaves with mildness , that they render him a faithful account of their produce ; where there are rich slave . ? it is no longer the public interest . that
, , my slave should have any thing to fear from you . - At Lacedajmon my slave would be humble to you ; but at Athens , if your slave was under my controul , he would be in danger , least I take from him his property , in order to spare his person . It is for this reason that we have put upon an equality , slaves and freemenstrangers and citizens ; for it is the interest of the
, Republic that strangers should be numerous—the industry , the great number of mechanic arts , and the marine demand it : we have then great reason for inviting strangers among us , by assuring to them this Equality .
The multitude has not entertained any jealousy of those who practise the gymnastic exercises , or profess music ; they consider that it would be uiijust , as they themselves could not-follow such occupations . Whether at the public shows , at the command of the galleys , or at the gymnastic games , the intent of the populace is that the rich provide the exhibitionsand even perform ; that the wealthy
com-, mand the galleys , and . preside over the games ; that-the people serve on board the ships , and partake of the exercises under them ; for the view of the multitude is to gain money by singing , dancing , running , and navigating , to increase their own freedom and diminish the wealth of the opulent . Are they called on to give judgment on a process , it is not after equity that they pronounce ; they consult much oftener their own interest .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Constitution Of The Athenians.
which shall bind all the citizens ; you will there see the good punishing the wicked , you will behold honest men deliberating on what concerns the public welfare ; they will not suffer ignorant and furious men , to take part in their deliberations , hindering them from addressing the people , and even from as isting at the assemblies : from these innovationsalthough by their nature excellentyou
, , will soon perceive , that the sceptre will be no longer in the handsof the populace , and that our actual sovereigns will sink into the condition of subjects . There is no state where impunity is more frequent than at Athens . —It is not permitted here to beat a slave , he will not even ive way to you on the road for you to pass . I will now shew the
g source of this custom : If the law permitted a freeman to beat a slave , a stranger , or a freed man , he might lay violent hands on a citizen of Athens , taking him for a slave ; for . here the populace ' are not better habited than the slaves , and strangers ; they have no exterior distinction . It is also astonishing to see , to what a degree of luxury the slaves
are tolerated , and what magnificence is displa 3 ed amongst them ; it is evident , nevertheless , that the Republic indulges them thus through policy . They have need of money to keep up their naval force ; it is necessary , therefore , that the master treat his slaves with mildness , that they render him a faithful account of their produce ; where there are rich slave . ? it is no longer the public interest . that
, , my slave should have any thing to fear from you . - At Lacedajmon my slave would be humble to you ; but at Athens , if your slave was under my controul , he would be in danger , least I take from him his property , in order to spare his person . It is for this reason that we have put upon an equality , slaves and freemenstrangers and citizens ; for it is the interest of the
, Republic that strangers should be numerous—the industry , the great number of mechanic arts , and the marine demand it : we have then great reason for inviting strangers among us , by assuring to them this Equality .
The multitude has not entertained any jealousy of those who practise the gymnastic exercises , or profess music ; they consider that it would be uiijust , as they themselves could not-follow such occupations . Whether at the public shows , at the command of the galleys , or at the gymnastic games , the intent of the populace is that the rich provide the exhibitionsand even perform ; that the wealthy
com-, mand the galleys , and . preside over the games ; that-the people serve on board the ships , and partake of the exercises under them ; for the view of the multitude is to gain money by singing , dancing , running , and navigating , to increase their own freedom and diminish the wealth of the opulent . Are they called on to give judgment on a process , it is not after equity that they pronounce ; they consult much oftener their own interest .