The Greeks had a word for it

"The Greeks had a word for it" is a well-known saying, and a very true one. I was reminded of it the other day when I came across some words spoken by Pericles, extolling the greatness of the fifth century BC city-state of Athena. The world would be a far happier place today if the nations were to model themselves on the Athenian democracy of 2500 years ago. This is what he said:

"Let me say that our system of government does not copy the institutions of our neighbors. It is more the case of our being a model to others, than imitating anyone else. Our constitution is called a democracy because power is in the hands not of a minority but of the whole people. When it is a question of settling private disputes, everyone is equal before the law; when it is a question of putting one person before another in positions of public responsibility, what counts is not membership of a particular class, but the actual ability which a man possesses. No one, so long as he has it in him to be of service to the state, is kept in political obscurity because of poverty...

Our love of what is beautiful does not lead to extravagance; our love of things of the mind does not make us soft. We regard wealth as something to be properly used, rather than as something to boast about. As for poverty, no one need be ashamed to admit it; the real shame is in not taking practical measures to escape from it."

RB SAWREY-COOKSON

Jakarta