184 ARZSTOTLE 'S POLZTICS.
passage. For Aristotle is here expressing not his own opinion but
the consensus of mankind. And although the democrat in sorne
sense acknowledges proportional equality, he would hardly go so
far as to say that justice is identical with it. The reading of the
MSS. is therefore preferable.
In Book iii. cc. 9 and 12 it has been assumed that justice and
proportionate equality, not mere class interests, are the principles
on which the state is based and which give a right to citizenship.
Aristotle proceeds to show how the neglect or misconception of
these principles leads to the overthrow of states.
- oi 6' &s Zvroor dvrrs nXcovcKrciv [qroGot. rb y&p irXtiov Zvruov.
The last words are an explanation of 7FhfUVIKT€k Cp. Nic. Eth. Y,
2.3 9, rb plv yhp sXiov dsav dvtoov, rb 6i a*vioov 06 &u 7~Xiov.
- oi 6' &s Zvroor dvrrs nXcovcKrciv [qroGot. rb y&p irXtiov Zvruov.
- jpaprqpivai 6' &Xis cioi.
Spengel reads ipapnpiat 6; roc dirAfs, though there is no trace
of variation in the AISS. Nearly the same meaning may be
elicited from the text as it stands: 'They are perversions, when
regarded simply,' i. e. ' by an absolute standard of justice '; that I$
to say, their justice is relative to aristocracy, oligarchy or derno-
cracy, and hence becomes a cause of revolution.
- jpaprqpivai 6' &Xis cioi.
- 8, Arb Ka'r ai pcra8oXai y/yvowar SrxGs.
The commentators are puzzled to find a connexion for these
words, which the various reading 6rKaim shows to have been an
ancient difficulty. Either I)* the particle 616 is attributable to
the superabundance of logical expression and therefore is not to be
strictly construed j or to the condensation of two clauses into onel
the word 6@s referring to what folIows : Hence arise changes ;
and in two ways.' Or 2) we must gather, however obscureb'
indicated, out of what has preceded some distinction corresponding
to that between changes of forms of government and changes of
persons and parties under the same form of government. Low of
equality may perhaps be thought to lead to a change of the con-
stitution; impatience of inequality to a change of persons and
offices. But this connesion of ideas, if intended, is not clearb
stated. It would be rash, after the manner of some editors (Con.