[C]onsidering how different this doctrine is, from the practice of the greatest part of the world,… and how much depth of moral philosophy is required, in them that have the administration of the sovereign power; I am at the point of believing this my labour, as useless, as the commonwealth of Plato; for he also is of opinion that it is impossible for the disorders of state, and change of government by civil war, ever to be taken away, till sovereigns become philosophers. But when I consider again, that the science of natural justice, is the only science necessary for sovereigns, and their principal ministers; and that they need not to be charged with the sciences mathematical, (as by Plato they are,)…; and that neither Plato, nor any other philosopher hitherto, hath put into order and sufficiently, or probably proved all the theorems of moral doctrine, that men may learn thereby, both how to govern, and how to obey; I recover some hope, that one time or other, this writing of mine, may fall into the hands of a sovereign, who will consider it himself, (for it is short, and I think clear,) without the help of any interested, or envious interpreter; and by the exercise of entire sovereignty, in protecting the public teaching of it, convert this truth of speculation, into the utility of practice.