The Golden Themis

A decorative woodcut headpiece features symmetrical floral scrolls and foliage patterns. Below it, a large ornamental drop-cap letter V is set in a square frame decorated with intertwined vine and leaf motifs.

CAPVT I.

Just as there is a great diversity of laws, both by reason of the efficient cause or the legislator giving them, and by reason of the receiver, so do all converge in this one end, provided they are dictated by good men and not tyrants, that they look to the public good of those for whom they are prescribed. Since laws have been introduced to preserve the society of men, to cultivate and exercise piety, justice, and virtue, so that no prejudice or injury is done to anyone, they are directed most of all to the utility and benefit of the Republic. If to each his own is attributed, there will be no cause for lawsuits, complaints, or war, but all will enjoy peace equally, as if in a golden age. Since that is the nature of justice, which is defended by laws, it is evident from this that through laws peace is fostered (than which nothing is more excellent or useful to the human race), Themis is cultivated, strife original: "Eryn" is excluded, and a most abundant horn of plenty is provided. Whence it is not without cause that poets imagine Themis, the daughter of heaven and earth, sister of Saturn, and aunt of Jupiter, to have deserved great praise and the highest honors because of her singular administration of justice. For she commanded that equity be preserved among