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Accordingly it is observable that in the commotions of a despotic government； the people； hurried away by their passions； are apt to push things as far as they can go。 The disorders they commit are all extreme； whereas in monarchies matters are seldom carried to excess。 The chiefs are apprehensive on their own account； they are afraid of being abandoned； and the intermediate dependent powers do not choose that the populace should have too much the upper hand。 It rarely happens that the states of the kingdom are entirely corrupted： the prince adheres to these； and the seditious； who have neither will nor hopes to subvert the government； have neither power nor will to dethrone the prince。
In these circumstances men of prudence and authority interfere； moderate measures are first proposed； then complied with； and things at length are redressed； the laws resume their vigour； and command submission。
Thus all our histories are full of civil wars without revolutions； while the histories of despotic governments abound with revolutions without civil wars。
The writers of the history of the civil wars of some countries； even those who fomented them； sufficiently demonstrate the little foundation princes have to suspect the authority with which they invest particular bodies of men； since； even under the unhappy circumstance of their errors； they sighed only after the laws and their duty； and restrained； more than they were capable of inflaming； the impetuosity of the revolted。＇33＇ Cardinal Richelieu； reflecting perhaps that he had too much reduced the states of the kingdom； has recourse to the virtues of the prince and of his ministers for the support＇34＇ of government： but he requires so many things； that indeed there is none but an angel capable of such attention； such resolution and knowledge； and scarcely can we flatter ourselves that we shall ever see such a prince and ministers while monarchy subsists。
As people who live under a good government are happier than those who without rule or leaders wander about the forests； so monarchs who live under the fundamental laws of their country are far happier than despotic princes who have nothing to regulate； neither their own passions nor those of their subjects。
12。 The same Subject continued。 Let us not look for magnanimity in despotic governments； the prince cannot impart a greatness which he has not himself； with him there is no such thing as glory。
It is in monarchies that we behold the subjects encircling the throne； and cheered by the irradiancy of the sovereign； there it is that each person filling； as it were； a larger space； is capable of exercising those virtues which adorn the soul； not with independence； but with true dignity and greatness。
13。 An Idea of Despotic Power。 When the savages of Louisiana are desirous of fruit； they cut the tree to the root； and gather the fruit。＇35＇ This is an emblem of despotic government。
14。 In what Manner the Laws are in relation to the Principles of Despotic Government。 The principle of despotic government is fear； but a timid； ignorant； and faint…spirited people have no occasion for a great number of laws。
Everything ought to depend here on two or three ideas； hence there is no necessity that any new notions should be added。 When we want to break a horse； we take care not to let him change his master； his lesson； or his pace。 Thus an impression is made on his brain by two or three motions； and no more。
If a prince is shut up in a seraglio； he cannot leave his voluptuous abode without alarming those who keep him confined。 Thev will not bear that his person and power should pass into other hands。 He seldom therefore wages war in person； and hardly ventures to entrust the command to his generals。
A prince of this stamp； unaccustomed to resistance in his palace； is enraged to see his will opposed by armed force； hence he is generally governed by wrath or vengeance。 Besides； he can have no notion of true glory。 War therefore is carried on under such a government in its full natural fury； and less extent is given to the law of nations than in other states。
Such a prince has so many imperfections that they are afraid to expose his natural stupidity to public view。 He is concealed in his palace； and the people are ignorant of his situation。 It is lucky for him that the inhabitants of those countries need only the name of a prince to govern them。
When Charles XII was at Bender； he met with some opposition from the senate of Sweden； upon which he wrote word home that he would send one of his boots to command them。 This boot would have governed like a despotic prince。
If the prince is a prisoner； he is supposed to be dead； and another mounts the throne。 The treaties made by the prisoner are void； his successor will not ratify them； and indeed； as he is the law； the state； and the prince： when he is no longer a prince； he is nothing： were he not therefore deemed to be deceased； the state would be subverted。
One thing which chiefly determined the Turks to conclude a separate peace with Peter I was the Muscovites telling the Vizir that in Sweden another prince had been placed upon the throne。＇36＇
The preservation of the state is only the preservation of the prince； or rather of the palace where he is confined。 Whatever does not directly menace this palace or the capital makes no impression on ignorant； proud； and prejudiced minds； and as for the concatenation of events； they are unable to trace； to foresee； or even to conceive it。 Politics； with its several springs and laws； must here be very much limited； the political government is as simple as the civil。＇37＇
The whole is reduced to reconciling the political and civil administration to the domestic government； the officers of state to those of the seraglio。
Such a state is happiest when it can look upon itself as the only one in the world； when it is environed with deserts； and separated from those people whom they call Barbarians。 Since it cannot depend on the militia； it is proper it should destroy a part of itself。
As fear is the principle of despotic government； its end is tranquillity； but this tranquillity cannot be called a peace： no； it is only the silence of those towns which the enemy is ready to invade。
Since strength does not lie in the state； but in the army that founded it； in order to defend the state the army must be preserved； how formidable soever to the prince。 How； then； can we reconcile the security of the government to that of the prince's person？
Observe how industriously the Russian government endeavours to temper its arbitrary power； which it finds more burdensome than the people themselves。 They have broken their numerous guards； mitigated criminal punishments； erected tribunals； entered into a knowledge of the laws； and instructed the people。 But there are particular causes that will probably once more involve them in the very misery which they now endeavour to avoid。
In those states religion has more influence than anywhere else； it is fear added to fear。 In Mahomedan countries； it is partly from their religion that the people derive the surprising veneration they have for their prince。
It is religion that amends in some measure the Turkish constitution。 The subjects； who have no attachment of honour to the glory and grandeur of the state； are connected with it by the force and principle of religion。
Of all despotic governments there is none that labours more under its own weight than that wherein the prince declares himself proprietor of all the lands； and heir to all his subjects。 Hence the neglect of agriculture arises； and if the prince intermeddles likewise in trade； all manner of industry is ruined。
Under this sort of government； nothing is repaired or improved。＇38＇ Houses are built only for the necessity of habitation； there is no digging of ditches or planting of trees； everything is drawn from； but nothing restored to； the earth； the ground lies untilled； and the whole country becomes a desert。
Is it to be imagined that the laws which abolish the property of land and the succession of estates will diminish the avarice and cupidity of the great？ By no means。 They will rather stimulate this cupidity and avarice。 The great men will be prompted to use a thousand oppressive methods； imagining they have no other property than the gold and silver which they are able to seize upon by violence； or to conceal。
To prevent； therefore； the utter ruin of the state； the avidity of the prince ought to be moderated by some established custom。 Thus； in Turkey； the sovereign is satisfied with the right of three per cent on the value of inheritances。＇39＇ But as he gives the greatest part of the lands to his soldiery； and disposes of them as he pleases； as he seizes on all the inheritances of the officers of the empire at their decease； as he has the property of the possessions of those who die without issue； and the daughters have only the usufruct； it thence follows that the greatest part of the estates of the country are held in a precarious manner。
By the laws of Bantam；＇40＇ the king seizes on the whole inheritance； even wife； children； and habitation。 In order to elude the cruelest part of this law； they are ob