led harmony in song answers and
corresponds to what we call concord in the State--concord, the
strongest and loveliest bond of security in every commonwealth, being
always accompanied by justice and equity.

XLIII. And after this, when Scipio had discussed with
considerable breadth of principle and felicity of
illustration the great advantage that justice is to a state,
and the great injury which would arise if it were wanting,
Pilus, one of those who were present at the discussion, took
up the matter and demanded that this question should be
argued more carefully, and that something more should be said
about justice, on account of a sentiment that was now
obtaining among people in general, that political affairs
could not be wholly carried on without some disregard of
justice.

XLIV. * * * to be full of justice.

Then Scipio replied: I certainly think so. And I declare to you that I
consider that all I have spoken respecting the government of the State
is worth nothing, and that it will be useless to proceed further,
unless I can prove that it is a false assertion that political business
cannot be conducted without injustice and corruption; and, on the other
hand, establish as a most indisputable fact that without the strictest
justice no government whatever can last long.

But, with your permission, we have had discussion enough for the day.
The rest--and much remains for our consideration--we will defer till
to-morrow. When they had all agreed to this, the debate of the day was
closed.

* * * * *

INTRODUCTION TO THE THIRD BOOK,

BY THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATOR.

Cicero here enters on the grand question of Political Justice,
and endeavors to evince throughout the absolute verity of
that inestimable proverb, "Honesty is the best policy," in
all public as well as in all private affairs. St. Augustine,
in his City of God, has given the following analysis of this
magnificent disquisition:

"In the third book of Cicero's Commonwealth" (says he) "the
question of Political Justice is most earnestly discussed.
Philus is appointed to support, as well as he can, the
sophistical arguments of those who think that political
government cannot be carried on without the aid of injustice
and chicanery. He denies holding any such opinion himself;
yet, in order to exhibit th