“Then now, Thrasymachus, there is no longer any doubt that neither arts nor
governments provide for their own interests; but, as we were before saying,
they rule and provide for the interests of their subjects who are the weaker and
not the stronger–to their good they attend and not to the good of the superior.
And this is the reason, my dear Thrasymachus, why, as I was just now saying,
no one is willing to govern; because no one likes to take in hand the reformation
of evils which are not his concern without remuneration. For, in the execution of
his work, and in giving his orders to another, the true artist does not regard his
own interest, but always that of his subjects; and therefore in order that rulers
may be willing to rule, they must be paid in one of three modes of payment,
money, or honour, or a penalty for refusing.”
―
Plato,
The Republic
