But while the law secures equal justice to all alike in their private disputes, the claim of excellence is also recognized; and when a citizen is in any way distinguished, he is preferred to the public service, not as a matter of privilege, but as the reward of merit. What characteristics of democracy does Pericles present in this quote? Check all that apply. People are elected to public office based on merit, not privilege. The administration is in the hands of the many, not the few. The law guarantees fairness to everyone in personal disagreements. The government provides people with freedom of speech.