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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Hiero by Xenophon: [16] Cf. "Hipparch," viii. 11; "Cyrop." VIII. iii. 25; "Thuc." i. 49.
But the tyrant, when he forebodes, or possibly perceives in actual
fact, some opposition brewing, and puts the suspects[17] to the sword,
knows he will not thereby promote the welfare of the state
collectively. The cold clear fact is, he will have fewer subjects to
rule over.[18] How can he show a cheerful countenance?[19] how magnify
himself on his achievement? On the contrary, his desire is to lessen
the proportions of what has taken place, as far as may be. He will
apologise for what he does, even in the doing of it, letting it appear
that what he has wrought at least was innocent;[20] so little does his
conduct seem noble even to himself. And when those he dreaded are
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