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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: government[3] implies no obstacle to being loved, but rather holds the
advantage over private life so far. And whilst investigating if this
be really so, let us not embarass the inquiry by asking whether in
proportion to his greater power the ruler is able to do kindness on a
grander scale. But put it thus: Two human beings, the one in humble
circumstances,[4] the other a despotic ruler, perform a common act;
which of these twain will, under like conditions,[5] win the larger
thanks? I will begin with the most trifling[6] examples; and first a
simple friendly salutation, "Good day," "Good evening," dropped at
sight of some one from the lips of here a ruler, there a private
citizen. In such a case, whose salutation will sound the pleasanter to
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