ABSTRACT
Rulers would gladly have it taken for granted that they alone can see aright in politics, and consequently are entitled to a monopoly of opinion on such matters. For, on the contrary, rulers, even when honest, are by their position more disqualified from gaining a just and elevated view of general politics, since a continual preoccupation with details incapacitates for correa theory. However, in order to reconcile all, and exclude the prejudice without sanctioning the principle of political indifferentism so dear to rulers, it might be well to distinguish, more than is usually done, between opinions and aspirations. It is reasonable, natural, and necessary that every citizen should have political aspirations, since all have an interest in the conduct of social affairs. When, however, public opinion has once clearly indicated the end, the consideration of the measures for effecting it exclusively belongs to scientific politicians.
