We will speak of nobility first as a portion of an estate then as a condition of particular persons. A monarchy where there is no nobility at all is ever a pure and absolute tyranny as that of the Turks; for nobility attempers sovereignty and draws the eyes of the people somewhat aside from the line royal: but for democracies they need it not; and they are commonly more quiet and less subject to sedition than where there are stirps of nobles; for men's eyes are upon the business and not upon the persons; or if upon the persons it is for the business sake as fittest and not for flags and pedigree.