The passage's theme centers on leadership's role in fostering a society's ethical and harmonious functioning, with emphasis on the importance of virtues.
The theme of the passage is likely related to the ideas of leadership and the influence a ruler has on the ethical and harmonious functioning of society. Considering the information provided, the statement that best states a theme of the passage might be: People sometimes make unwise decisions. This is supported by references to citizens choosing vices and the contrast between a virtuous and an immoral city. Additionally, there is an emphasis on virtues such as wisdom, courage, discipline, and justice, and how these virtues contribute to the harmony of a country when embraced by both the rulers and the citizens.
The theme of the passage is that people desire to show honor to leaders. The passage discusses the importance of having a wise and powerful ruler who can exercise their power in a harmonious way to influence the citizens. It also mentions that citizens can achieve true happiness through the pursuit of virtue under the guidance of a supreme ruler.