De Somniis (lib. i-ii)

And this sacred word is divided into four beginnings, by which I mean it is portioned out into four virtues, each of which is a princess, for to be divided into beginnings, [*](There is an unavoidable obscurity in the translation here. The Greek word is ἀρχαί, which means beginnings, or principles, and also governments. ) does not resemble divisions of place, but a kingdom, in order that any one, after having shown the virtues as boundaries, may immediately proceed to show the wise man who follows them to be a king, being elected as such, not by men, but by the only free nature which cannot err, and which cannot be corrupted;

for those who behold the excellence of Abraham say unto him, "Thou art a king, sent from God among us:" [*]( Genesis xxiii. 6. ) proposing as a maxim, for those who study philosophy, that the wise man alone is a ruler and a king, and that virtue is the only irresponsible authority and sovereignty. [*](Genesis ii. 10. ) [*](Psalm xxxvi. 4. ) [*](There is an unavoidable obscurity in the translation here. The Greek word is ἀρχαί, which means beginnings, or principles, and also governments. ) [*]( Genesis xxiii. 6. )