Philosophy

And thus far concerning the constitution, nature, and right of sovereigns,
and concerning the duty of subjects, derived from the principles
of natural reason. And now, considering how different this doctrine is
from the practice of the greatest part of the world, especially of these
western parts that have received their moral learning from Rome and
Athens, and how much depth of moral philosophy is required in them
that have the administration of the sovereign power, I am at the point of
believing this my labour as useless as the Commonwealth of Plato: for
he also is of opinion that it is impossible for the disorders of state, and
change of governments by civil war, ever to be taken away till sovereigns
be philosophers. But when I consider again that the science of natural justice is the only science necessary for sovereigns and their principal ministers, and that they need not be charged with the sciences
mathematical, as by Plato they are, further than by good laws to encourage
men to the study of them; and that neither Plato nor any other philosopher
hitherto hath put into order, and sufficiently or probably proved all the theorems of moral doctrine, that men may learn thereby both how
to govern and how to obey, I recover some hope that one time or other
this writing of mine may fall into the hands of a sovereign who will
consider it himself (for it is short, and I think clear) without the help of
any interested or envious interpreter; and by the exercise of entire sovereignty, in protecting the public teaching of it, convert this truth of speculation into the utility of practice.