Liber II, Pars II — Quod non omnes cives aequaliter exercitandi sunt ad corporalia exercitia, et labores. Cap. XVIII.

Liber II, Pars II — Quod non omnes cives aequaliter exercitandi sunt ad corporalia exercitia, et labores. Cap. XVIII.

All young people who want to live a political life should, in some way, be trained for physical labor. Physical exercise, if moderate, seems beneficial to everyone, as it contributes to a certain health and a good condition of the body; for when the body is warmed through some moderate games and movements, unnecessary and harmful things are expelled from it. However, this kind of exercise seems particularly beneficial for those who wish to live civilly, because such people do not often engage in the pursuit of truth or in spiritual delights; it is advantageous for them to avoid idleness and to avoid illicit concerns by engaging in some lawful physical labors. It is beneficial for those who wish to live politically, both citizens and nobles, both kings and princes, as well as others, not to completely cease from physical activities or labors, nor to be entirely untrained in the use of arms. For physical exercise strengthens the body, making it easier to endure the hardness of arms. For if the use of arms is not only sometimes lawful but also necessary for the good of the state, it should not be entirely unknown to those who wish to live politically. However, not all young people should be equally trained for such labors; for the sons of kings and princes should be less trained for these physical labors than others, and it is fitting for the firstborn, who must govern, to take on lesser labors. For according to the philosopher. The work of politics requires physical labor and consideration through understanding. They seem to hinder themselves; however, this reasoning can be drawn from what is found in 2. Regarding the soul, it is said that we call those who are soft in the flesh apt in mind. Therefore, to develop intellectual industry, we need physical labors of the flesh, which make the body hard and hinder the subtlety of the mind. It is rightly said that what is stated in 7 is true. In the Physics, it is stated that the soul is prudent in sitting and resting. For through sitting and resting, the body becomes soft, by which we are made apt for contemplation. Through labor and motion, the body becomes hard, which hinders the sublimity of the mind; however, for those who are to govern the kingdom, it is more expedient to be prudent than warlike: for in a king, wisdom is worth more than military arms. A king, a prince, and any ruler of the people, even if he seems to have no more power in battle or in taking up arms than a single man, can still prevail over the entire people entrusted to him through wisdom. For if the whole people and the entire nation of a kingdom are not well united and organized, they can achieve little; but when united and organized, they can accomplish great things through their kings. Therefore, kings and princes should not completely ignore the use of arms, nor should they flee from physical labor, so that they do not become like women, nor should they hesitate to take up arms for the defense of the kingdom or in any other case; however, because it is fitting for them to be more prudent than warriors, the sons of kings and princes, especially the firstborn who are to reign, should be less accustomed to physical labor than others, lest their bodies become hardened by such labor and hinder the subtlety of their minds. Such individuals should therefore devote themselves more to wisdom than to physical courage. However, they will have time for wisdom if they diligently focus on moral sciences, so they can understand human behaviors and actions. Therefore, those who are to govern others should avoid idleness and illicit concerns, dedicating themselves to moral sciences, frequently reflecting on the good customs of the kingdom, and often listening to the accounts of their well-governing predecessors. Thus, it is more important for kings and princes, as well as their heirs, to avoid idleness than to engage in labor and physical exercise.