war and invasion. Then he divided Sparta into nine
thousand equal parts or provinces, appointing nine thousand leaders or
grandees to protect them. In this way the farmers of each province were
assured of protection but each farmer was compelled to pay a tax to
support the grandee of that province. The farmers and merchants were not
obliged to defend the country. In lieu of labor the grandees received the
taxes. Lycurgus in order to establish this forever as a law, brought nine
thousand grandees together, told them he was going upon a long journey and
wished this form of government to remain effective until his return. They
swore an oath to protect and preserve his law. He then left his kingdom,
went into voluntary exile and never came back. No man ever made such a
sacrifice to insure equality among his fellowmen. A few years passed and
the whole system of government he had founded collapsed, although
established upon such a just and wise basis.

Difference of capacity in human individuals is fundamental. It is
impossible for all to be alike, all to be equal, all to be wise.
Baha'u'llah has revealed principles and laws which will accomplish the
adjustment of varying human capacities. He has said that whatsoever is
possible of accomplishment in human government will be effected through
these principles. When the laws he has instituted are carried out there
will be no millionaires possible in the community and likewise no
extremely poor. This will be effected and regulated by adjusting the
different degrees of human capacity. The fundamental basis of the
community is agriculture, tillage of the soil. All must be producers. Each
person in the community whose income is equal to his individual producing
capacity shall be exempt from taxation. But if his income is greater than
his needs he must pay a tax until an adjustment is effected. That is to
say, a man's capacity for production and his needs will be equalized and
reconciled through taxation. If his production exceeds he will pay no tax;
if his necessities exceed his production he shall receive an amount
sufficient to equalize or adjust. Therefore taxation will be proportionate
to capacity and production and there will be no poor in the community.

COOPERATION

It seems as though all creatures can exist singly and alone. For example,
a tree can exist solitary and alone on a given prairie or in a valley or
on the mountainside. An animal upon a mountain or a bir