spiracy; men of virtue, lest the multitude should desire to be governed by them. But when, from apprehension, they have removed such characters out of the way, what others are left them to employ in their service except the dishonest, and licentious, and servile?" So far from a tyrant being happier than other men, his state of mind may be summed up by saying that "he passes day and night as if he were condemned by the whole human race to die for his usurpation."
On hearing this statement, Simonides asks, "Why, if such be all that your position of royalty has to give, do you not voluntarily abdicate?" But Hiero answers that this very thing is one of the worst features of usurped royalty—that it is impossible to set one's self free from it. "For how can any tyrant command sufficient resources to make restitution of property to those from whom he has taken it, or how can he make atonement to those whom he has cast into prison, or for those whom he has unjustly put to death? In short, a tyrant can have no comfort either in keeping his throne or resigning it; so the only thing left for him to do is—to hang himself." Simonides, however, offers consolation by observing that the dissatisfaction felt by Hiero proceeds from the amiability of his disposition, which leads him to desire the love of mankind. He assures him that this may still be obtained by a right use of the advantages of his position—by showing graciousness and affability; by developing the resources of the state, and so benefiting all; by using his mercenary soldiers as police for the repression of crime; by spending his private means on
