# Quote — Aristotle, The Politics

> Those who live in a cold climate and in [northern] Europe are full of spirit, but wanting in intelligence and skill; and therefore they keep their freedom, but have no political organization, and are incapable of ruling over others. Whereas the natives of Asia are intelligent and inventive, but they are wanting in spirit, and therefore they are always in a state of subjection and slavery. But the Hellenic race, which is situated between them, is likewise intermediate in character, being high-spirited and also intelligent. Hence it continues free, and is the best governed of any nation, and, if it could be formed into one state, would be able to rule the world.

- Author: [Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md)
- Book: [The Politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/the-politics.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Politics_(Aristotle)#Quotes) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/the-politics/those-who-live

## More from this book

> Those who cannot face danger like men are the slaves of any invader.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/the-politics/those-who-cannot.md)

> Subjects are also kept poor by payment of taxes.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/the-politics/subjects-are-also.md)

> It is also in the interests of a tyrant to make his subjects poor, so that he may be able to afford the cost of his bodyguard, while the people are so occupied with their daily tasks that they have no time for plotting.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/the-politics/it-is-also.md)