It is requisite that a king should be a wise man: for thus he will
be honoured analogously to the first God, of whom also he will be an
imitator. For this god is by nature the first king and potentate;
but a king is so by birth and imitation. And the former rules in the
universe, and in the whole of things; but the latter in the earth.
The former also governs all things eternally, and has a never-failing
life, possessing wisdom in himself; but the latter acquires science
through time. But a king will imitate the first God in the most
excellent manner, if he acquires magnanimity, gravity, and the want
of but few things; exhibiting to his subjects a paternal disposition.
For on this account especially, the first God is conceived to be the
father both of Gods and men, because he is mild to every thing which
is in subjection to him, and never ceases to govern with providential
regard. Nor is he alone satisfied with being the maker of all things,
but he is the nourisher, the preceptor of every thing beautiful, and
the legislator to all things equally. Such also ought the king to be
who rules over men on the earth. Nothing however is beautiful which
is deprived of a king and a ruler. But it is not possible for a king
or a ruler [properly so called] to exist without wisdom and science.
He, therefore, who is a wise man and a king, will be an imitator, and
a legitimate minister of God.