Vice and crimes must be justly punished, and the ruler must be especially careful to root out flatterers and financial schemers from his own court. Rewards of honor and profit may be used to encourage good works. The poor must be provided for, and if they are healthy they may be taught trades. He recommends judges of integrity and simplification of legal suits and processes. Taxes which are necessary to the state ought to be based on land and the ability to pay, and trade ought to be universal without restrictions between nations.
Public grain ought to be stored up in case of famine.
The power of censure ought to be used to regulate morals and by the influence of public opinion keep people upright. Those who lead dissolute lives may lose their privileges-a senator his position, a knight his title, a citizen his civic rights. Between states the borders are to be kept the same, trade may be arranged, and foreigners must be treated justly. Weights, measures, and money must be standardized to prevent cheating. With little provocation thousands of men clash with each other, resulting in slaughter, dismemberment, and misery.