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The sovereign is here in the same case with a private person； and against the ordinary maxims of prudence is frequently obliged to give his confidence to those who have most offended him； and to disgrace the men who have best served him： he does that by necessity which other princes do by choice。
As we are afraid of being deprived of the blessing we already enjoy； and which may be disguised and misrepresented to us； and as fear always enlarges objects； the people are uneasy under such a situation； and believe themselves in danger； even in those moments when they are most secure。
As those who with the greatest warmth oppose the executive power dare not avow the self…interested motives of their opposition； so much the more do they increase the terrors of the people； who can never be certain whether they are in danger or not。 But even this contributes to make them avoid the real dangers； to which they may； in the end； be exposed。
But the legislative body having the confidence of the people； and being more enlightened than they； may calm their uneasiness； and make them recover from the bad impressions they have entertained。
This is the great advantage which this government has over the ancient democracies； in which the people had an immediate power； for when they were moved and agitated by the orators； these agitations always produced their effect。
But when an impression of terror has no certain object； it produces only clamour and abuse； it has； however； this good effect； that it puts all the springs of government into motion； and fixes the attention of every citizen。 But if it arises from a violation of the fundamental laws； it is sullen； cruel； and produces the most dreadful catastrophes。
Soon we should see a frightful calm； during which every one would unite against that power which had violated the laws。
If； when the uneasiness proceeds from no certain object； some foreign power should threaten the state； or put its prosperity or its glory in danger； the little interests of party would then yield to the more strong and binding； and there would be a perfect coalition in favour of the executive power。
But if the disputes were occasioned by a violation of the fundamental laws； and a foreign power should appear； there would be a revolution that would neither alter the constitution nor the form of government。 For a revolution formed by liberty becomes a confirmation of liberty。
A free nation may have a deliverer： a nation enslaved can have only another oppressor。
For whoever is able to dethrone an absolute prince has a power sufficient to become absolute himself。
As the enjoyment of liberty； and even its support and preservation； consists in every man's being allowed to speak his thoughts； and to lay open his sentiments； a citizen in this state will say or write whatever the laws do not expressly forbid to be said or written。
A people like this； being always in a ferment； are more easily conducted by their passions than by reason； which never produces any great effect in the mind of man； it is therefore easy for those who govern to make them undertake enterprises contrary to their true interest。
This nation is passionately fond of liberty； because this liberty is real； and it is possible for it； in its defence； to sacrifice its wealth； its ease； its interest； and to support the burden of the heaviest taxes； even such as a despotic prince durst not lay upon his subjects。
But as the people have a certain knowledge of the necessity of submitting to those taxes； they pay them from the well…founded hope of their discontinuance； their burdens are heavy； but they do not feel their weight； whilst in other states the uneasiness is infinitely greater than the evil。
This nation must therefore have a fixed and certain credit； because it borrows of itself and pays itself。 It is possible for it to undertake things above its natural strength； and employ against its enemies immense sums of fictitious riches； which the credit and nature of the government may render real。
To preserve its liberty； it borrows of its subjects： and the subjects； seeing that its credit would be lost if ever it were conquered； have a new motive to make fresh efforts in defence of its liberty。
This nation； inhabiting an island； is not fond of conquering； because it would be weakened by distant conquests especially as the soil of the island is good； for it has then no need of enriching itself by war； and as no citizen is subject to another； each sets a greater value on his own liberty than on the glory of one or any number of citizens。
Military men are there regarded as belonging to a profession which may be useful but is often dangerous； and as men whose very services are burdensome to the nation： civil qualifications are therefore more esteemed than the military。
This nation； which liberty and the laws render easy； on being freed from pernicious prejudices； has become a trading people； and as it has some of those primitive materials of trade out of which are manufactured such things as from the artist's hand receive a considerable value； it has made settlements proper to procure the enjoyment of this gift of heaven in its fullest extent。
As this nation is situated towards the north； and has many superfluous commodities； it must want also a great amount of merchandise which its climate will not produce： it has therefore entered into a great and necessary intercourse with the southern nations； and making choice of those states whom it is willing to favour with an advantageous commerce； it enters into such treaties with the nation it has chosen as are reciprocally useful to both。
In a state where； on the one hand； the opulence is extreme； and on the other the taxes are excessive； they are hardly able to live on a small fortune without industry。 Many； therefore； under a pretence of travelling； or of health； retire from among them； and go in search of plenty； even to the countries of slavery。
A trading nation has a prodigious number of little particular interests； it may then injure or be injured in an infinite number of ways。 Thus it becomes immoderately jealous； and is more afflicted at the prosperity of others than it rejoices at its own。
And its laws； otherwise mild and easy； may be so rigid with respect to the trade and navigation carried on with it； that it may seem to trade only with enemies。
If this nation sends colonies abroad； it must rather be to extend its commerce than its dominion。
As men are fond of introducing into other places what they have established among themselves； they have given the people of the colonies their own form of government； and this government carrying prosperity along with it； they have raised great nations in the forests they were sent to inhabit。
Having formerly subdued a neighbouring nation； which by its situation； the goodness of its ports； and the nature of its products； inspires it with jealousy； though it has given this nation its own laws； yet it holds it in great dependence： the subjects there are free and the state itself in slavery。
The conquered state has an excellent civil government； but is oppressed by the law of nations。 Laws are imposed by one