Third Dialogue

Summary

Second Court Maxim: Monarchy ought to be absolute and hereditary

Philalethes: the defects you have mentioned seem rather to proceed from the ill constitution of some monarchies.

Eunomius: what is requisite to the constitution of that you esteem perfect monarchy?

Philalethes: that it be absolute and, secondly, hereditary.

Eunomius: what induces you to believe absolute and hereditary monarchy best?

Philalethes: there is great difficulty in governing a people. The governor needs all help. Absolute power is necessary that his commands be not contradicted by the peevishness or ignorance of those who understand them not, or would hinder him from doing that that is good. Secondly, reason and experience show that resolutions are more speedy, executions more vigorous, when determined by one man than | when they depend upon such tedious disputes as are usual in commonwealths, where many give their opinions. And the most ignorant are often most positive in asserting their opinions. Experience also shows that those resolutions or counsels are steadily and constantly prosecuted which proceed from the prudence of one man and are directed to the interest of him and his family, whereas the counsels of commonwealths change according to the humour of those that happen to be in power.

Thirdly, nothing is more conducive to the good of a state than the incessant care of the governor perpetually intent to procure the good of it, which is most seen in hereditary monarchies, the monarch looking on the state as his patrimony descending to his heirs.