be the ablest of men? Why should all men envy the despotic monarch?

For the all-sufficient reason (he replied) that they form conclusions
on the matter without experience of the two conditions. And I will try
to prove to you the truth of what I say, beginning with the faculty of
vision, which, unless my memory betrays me, was your starting-point.

Well then, when I come to reason[13] on the matter, first of all I
find that, as regards the class of objects of which these orbs of
vision are the channel,[14] the despot has the disadvantage. Every
region of the world, each country on this fair earth, presents objects
worthy of contemplation, in quest of which the ordinary citizen will
visit, as the humour takes him, now some city [for the sake of
spectacles],[15] or again, the great national assemblies,[16] where
sights most fitted to entrance the gaze of multitudes would seem to be
collected.[17] But the despot has neither part nor lot in these high
festivals,[18] seeing it is not safe for him to go where he will find
himself at the mercy of the assembled crowds;[19] nor are his home
affairs in such security that he can leave them to the guardianship of
others, whilst he visits foreign parts. A twofold apprehension haunts
him:[20] he will be robbed of his throne, and at the same time be
powerless to take vengeance on his wrongdoer.[21]

[13] {logizomenos}, "to apply my moral algebra."

[14] {en tois dia tes opseos theamasi}. See Hartman, "An. Xen. Nova,"
p. 246. {theamasi} = "spectacular effects," is perhaps a gloss on
"all objects apprehensible through vision." Holden (crit. app.)
would rather omit {dia tes opseos} with Schneid.