Leaving these studies all are devoted to the more abstruse sub-
jects, to mathematics, to medicine, and to other sciences. There
are continual debate and studied argument among them, and
after a time they become magistrates of those sciences or me-
chanical arts in which they are the most proficient; for every-
one follows the opinion of his leader and judge, and goes out
to the plains to the works of the field, and for the purpose of
becoming acquainted with the pasturage of the dumb animals.
And they consider him the more noble and renowned who has
dedicated himself to the study of the most arts and knows how
to practise them wisely. Wherefore they laugh at us in that we
consider our workmen ignoble, and hold those to be noble who
have mastered no pursuit, but live in ease and are so many
slaves given over to their own pleasure and lasciviousness; and
thus, as it were, from a school of vices so many idle and wicked
fellows go forth for the ruin of the State.

The rest of the officials, however, are chosen by the four
chiefs, Hoh, Pon, Sin and Mor, and by the teachers of that art
over which they are fit to preside. And these teachers know
well who is most suited for rule. Certain men are proposed
by the magistrates in council, they themselves not seeking to
become candidates, and he opposes who knows anything against
those brought forward for election, or, if not, speaks in favor
of them. But no one attains to the dignity of Hoh except him
who knows the histories of the nations, and their customs and
sacrifices and laws, and their form of government, whether a
republic or a monarchy. He must also know the names of the
lawgivers and the inventors in science, and the laws and the
history of the earth and the heavenly bodies. They think it