> It's a good idea to keep your people in a state of poverty and always prepared for war. This helps to reduce both ambition and boredom—two qualities that can undermine obedience.
> Fierce competition in a society is desirable, for it generates energy and ambition
Don't these two statements exactly oppose each other?
> Fierce competition in a society is desirable, for it generates energy and ambition
Don't these two statements exactly oppose each other?