Utopia Power Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Book.Page) based on the 1989 Cambridge University Press edition

Quote #4

This is why, I would say, it is the king's duty to take more care of his people's welfare than of his own, just as it is the duty of a shepherd who cares about his job to feed the sheep rather than himself. (1.34)

Quote #5

[B]y secret ballot [Utopian officials] elect the prince from among four men nominated by the people of the four sections of the city. The prince holds office for life, unless he is suspected of aiming at tyranny. (1.49)

While it's clear that Hythloday really wants to emphasize the fairness of the Utopian political system, it's not so clear what "aiming at tyranny" exactly looks like. Why doesn't Hythloday give us the deets? Because it has never happened? Or maybe because the European readers already know what it looks like?

Quote #6

The oldest of every [Utopian] household […] is the ruler. (2.56)

Even on a small scale, there are power dynamics. Do you see any relationship between the broader social power dynamics and those of the household?