I say that every [political] association consists of a governor
and the governed; and of a third thing, viz. the laws. Of laws,
however, one is animated, viz. a king; but another inanimate, viz.
written law. The first law, therefore, is animated[11]; and if it
is observed, the king will be legitimate; the magistrate will be
consentaneous; the subject will be free; and the whole community will
be happy. But if both the animated and written laws are transgressed,
the king will be a tyrant; the magistrate unfit for his office;
the subject a slave; and the whole community unhappy. For actions
form a continued series from governing, the being governed, and,
in the third place, from subjugation. To govern, therefore, is the
province of that which is more, but to be governed, of that which
is less excellent, and to be subjugated, pertains to both these.
For that part of the soul which is rational governs, the part which
is irrational is governed, and both are vanquished by the passions.
For virtue is produced from the apt conjunction of both these parts;
and she leads the soul from pleasures and pains to tranquillity and
apathy[12].