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te succession of liberty and servitude； and notwithstanding her external strength； constantly determined to a revolution by the least foreign power this city； I say； had in her bosom an immense multitude of people； whose fate it was to have always this cruel alternative； either of choosing a tyrant to govern them； or of acting the tyrant themselves。
3。 Of the Spirit of extreme Equality。 As distant as heaven is from earth； so is the true spirit of equality from that of extreme equality。 The former does not imply that everybody should command； or that no one should be commanded； but that we obey or command our equals。 It endeavours not to shake off the authority of a master； but that its masters should be none but its equals。
In the state of nature； indeed； all men are born equal； but they cannot continue in this equality。 Society makes them lose it； and they recover it only by the protection of the laws。
Such is the difference between a well…regulated democracy and one that is not so； that in the former men are equal only as citizens； but in the latter they are equal also as magistrates； as senators； as judges； as fathers； as husbands； or as masters。
The natural place of virtue is near to liberty； but it is not nearer to excessive liberty than to servitude。
4。 Particular Cause of the Corruption of the People。 Great success； especially when chiefly owing to the people； intoxicates them to such a degree that it is impossible to contain them within bounds。 Jealous of their magistrates； they soon became jealous likewise of the magistracy； enemies to those who govern； they soon prove enemies also to the constitution。 Thus it was that the victory over the Persians in the straits of Salamis corrupted the republic of Athens；＇4＇ and thus the defeat of the Athenians ruined the republic of Syracuse。＇5＇
Marseilles never experienced those great transitions from lowness to grandeur； this was owing to the prudent conduct of that republic； which always preserved her principles。
5。 Of the Corruption of the Principle of Aristocracy。 Aristocracy is corrupted if the power of the nobles becomes arbitrary： when this is the case； there can no longer be any virtue either in the governors or the governed。
If the reigning families observe the laws； it is a monarchy with several monarchs； and in its own nature one of the most excellent； for almost all these monarchs are tied down by the laws。 But when they do not observe them； it is a despotic state swayed by a great many despotic princes。
In the latter case； the republic consists only in the nobles。 The body governing is the republic； and the body governed is the despotic state； which forms two of the most heterogeneous bodies in the world。
The extremity of corruption is when the power of the nobles becomes hereditary；＇6＇ for then they can hardly have any moderation。 If they are only a few； their power is greater； but their security less： if they are a larger number； their power is less； and their security greater； insomuch that power goes on increasing； and security diminishing； up to the very despotic prince who is encircled with excess of power and danger。
The great number； therefore； of nobles in an hereditary aristocracy renders the government less violent： but as there is less virtue； they fall into a spirit of supineness and negligence； by which the state loses all its strength and activity。＇7＇
An aristocracy may maintain the full vigour of its constitution if the laws be such as are apt to render the nobles more sensible of the perils and fatigues than of the pleasure of command： and if the government be in such a situation as to have something to dread； while security shelters under its protection； and uncertainty threatens from abroad。
As a certain kind of confidence forms the glory and stability of monarchies； republics； on the contrary； must have something to apprehend。＇8＇ A fear of the Persians supported the laws of Greece。 Carthage and Rome were alarmed； and strengthened by each other。 Strange； that the greater security those states enjoyed； the more； like stagnated waters； they were subject to corruption！
6。 Of the Corruption of the Principle of Monarchy。 As democracies are subverted when the people despoil the senate； the magistrates； the judges of their functions； so monarchies are corrupted when the prince insensibly deprives societies or cities of their privileges。 In the former case the multitude usurp the power； in the latter it is usurped by a single person。
〃The destruction of the dynasties of Tsin and Soui；〃 says a Chinese author； 〃was owing to this： the princes； instead of confining themselves； like their ancestors； to a general inspection； the only one worthy of a sovereign； wanted to govern everything immediately by themselves。〃＇9＇ The Chinese author gives us in this instance the cause of the corruption of almost all monarchies。
Monarchy is destroyed when a prince thinks he shows a greater exertion of power in changing than in conforming to the order of things； when he deprives some of his subjects of their hereditary employments to bestow them arbitrarily upon others； and when he is fonder of being guided by fancy than judgment。
Again； it is destroyed when the prince； directing everything entirely to himself； calls the state to his capital； the capital to his court； and the court to his own person。
It is destroyed； in fine； when the prince mistakes his authority； his situation and the love of his people； and when he is not fully persuaded that a monarch ought to think himself secure； as a despotic prince ought to think himself in danger。
7。 The same Subject continued。 The principle of monarchy is corrupted when the first dignities are marks of the first servitude； when the great men are deprived of public respect； and rendered the low tools of arbitrary power。
It is still more corrupted when honour is set up in contradiction to honours； and when men are capable of being loaded at the very same time with infamy＇10＇ and with dignities。
It is corrupted when the prince changes his justice into severity； when he puts； like the Roman emperors； a Medusa's head on his breast；＇11＇ and when he assumes that menacing and terrible air which Commodus ordered to be given to his statues。＇12＇
Again； it is corrupted when mean and abject souls grow vain of the pomp attending their servitude； and imagine that the motive which induces them to be entirely devoted to their prince exempts them from all duty to their country。
But if it be true （and indeed the experience of all ages has shown it） that in proportion as the power of the monarch becomes boundless and immense； his security diminishes； is the corrupting of this power； and the altering of its very nature； a less crime than that of high treason against the prince？
8。 Danger of the Corruption of the Principle of monarchical Government。 The danger is not when the state passes from one moderate to another moderate government； as from a republic to a monarchy； or from a monarchy to a republic； but when it is precipitated from a moderate to a despotic government。
Most of the European nations are still governed by the principles of morality。 But if from a long abuse of power o