A king should be one who is most just; and he will be most just who
pays the greatest attention to the laws. For without justice no one
will be a king; and without law there can be no justice. For that
which is just is just through law, which is the effective cause of
justice. But a king is either animated law, or a legal ruler. And
hence it follows that he will be most just and most observant of the
laws. There are, however, three peculiar employments of a king; viz.
to lead an army, to administer justice, and to worship the gods.
He will, therefore, be able to lead an army properly, if he knows
how to carry on war in a becoming manner. But he will be skilled in
administering justice, and in governing all his subjects, if he has
well learned the nature of justice and law. And he will worship the
gods in a pious and holy manner, if he has diligently considered the
nature and virtue of God; so that a good king must necessarily be
a good general, judge, and priest. For these are things consequent
and suitable to the transcendency and virtue of a king. For it is
the province of the pilot to preserve the ship, of the charioteer to
preserve the chariot, and of the physician to save the sick; but it
belongs to a king and to a general to save those who are in danger in
battle. For of that of which any one is the leader, he is also the
provident inspector and artificer. But to be conversant with judicial
affairs is, indeed, a universal thing; but is particularly the proper
work of a king; who, like a god, is a leader and protector in the
world. And universally, indeed, it is fit that the whole polity
should be coadapted to one ruler and empire; but, especially, that
things which have the relation of parts should accord with the same
harmony and supreme domination. Farther still, it is the province
of a king to oblige and benefit his subjects, but this not without,
justice and law. And the third thing which is adapted to the dignity
of a king is the worship of the gods. For it is necessary that what
is most excellent should be honoured by the most excellent; and that
which is the leader and ruler, by that which leads and rules. Of
things, therefore, which are by nature most honourable, God is the
best; but of things on the earth, and pertaining to men, a king is
the most excellent. As God also is to the world, so is a king to the
city [which he governs]; and as a city is to the world, so is a king
to God. For a city, indeed, being coadapted from things which are
many and different, imitates the coarrangement and harmony of the
world; but a king who possesses an innoxious dominion, and who is
himself animated law, exhibits the form of God among men.