Besides, it is as important for the good of the state that all the contributors[^1] to its preservation think well on this subject as it is in the public interest that everyone is well fed and no one dies of hunger. The art of thinking well in this regard must be common to all those who make up a state, like the (289) ability to walk, drink, and eat. It is surprising to see that one wants to set up a science that only belongs to people of letters or a certain manner and not to any rational man. The minds of all men are naturally disposed to think well just as their feet are to walk properly, their eyes to see well, and their ears to hear clearly provided that this natural ability is not spoiled by bad food.[^2] The mind does not need this theatrical apparatus that is commonly exhibited in logic. As long as it is not fed lies, falsehoods, abstractions,[^3] prejudices, and things that have never existed, it will use its abilities as the body does its (290) own.
With this plan, which is founded in the certainties that contemplating the natural order provides us, the prince will establish whatever it takes so that everyone, especially young people, has his[^4] proportional part of educating and perfecting his mind. Since everything that is called falsehood and lies does it infinite harm, and, consequently, harms the state’s wealth,—because in this way, all those who do not want to follow the natural order in how they get rich abuse the minds of the ignorant and not only spoil them, but often take away their goods— it will be advisable to take all suitable precautions so that these kinds of people are regarded everywhere as rotten members of the state (291) and worse than drunkards, and so that there is a kind of ignominy attached to every man who lies and who abuses others, and so that everything that is called trouble[^5] and fraud is severely punished, and so that no lie is passed on to young people, and so that a passion for righteousness as strong as it can be is instilled in them, and so that the education provided by tutors is only what the prince and his council find to be true, that is, simple and natural. This education must be examined according to the principle that I gave in the previous chapter, or at least, everything must refer to it.
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