Epitome of the Complete Works of Galen

into the human body, through which naturally all things pertaining to the nourishment of its parts enter; while speech is uttered, which is most necessary for instructing the minds of men in piety and doctrine. Furthermore, Nature provided various channels through which that which was not to be of use might be excreted. Every excellent city, especially if it is to endure, ought to be subject to one prince alone, but one who is most prudent, most just, and most clement; since a polyarchy original: "Polyarchia" – government by many has always been prone to sedition. The prince himself, kept apart from the common trade of the citizens and guarded by loyal bodyguards, must maintain himself in the higher and stronger part of the city, so that from there, as if from a certain watchtower, he may observe all his citizens, and if any conspiracy arises, he may easily extinguish it. Without doubt, Reason itself in man, which is the empress of all other faculties, acts in the same way. Situated in the brain, the higher part of the body, as if in a certain citadel, it commands all members subject to it and imposes laws of living upon them. Its guards, and as it were certain incorruptible satellites, are the external senses, which, always keeping watch and exploring individual things that might in some way harm either Reason itself or any of the members subject to it, report whatever they perceive immediately to the common sense original: "sensui communi", which, like a certain leader, is joined to Reason itself and is placed in charge of them. Now, just as princes are attended by certain men of secrets meaning: secretaries or confidential advisors who relieve them of great anxiety in the execution of affairs,