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ere 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 country on the other； and these are such as render its prosperity precarious and dependent on the will of a master。
The ruling nation inhabiting a large island； and being in possession of a great trade； has with extraordinary ease grown powerful at sea； and as the preservation of its liberties requires that it should have neither strongholds nor fortresses nor land forces； it has occasion for a formidable navy to defend it against invasions； a navy which must be superior to that of all other powers； who； employing their treasures in wars on land； have not sufficient for those at sea。
The empire of the sea has always given those who have enjoyed it a natural pride； because； thinking themselves capable of extending their insults wherever they please； they imagine that their power is as boundless as the ocean。
This nation has a great influence in the affairs of its neighbours； for as its power is not employed in conquests； its friendship is more courted； and its resentment more dreaded； than could naturally be expected from the inconstancy of its government； and its domestic divisions。
Thus it is the fate of the executive power to be almost always disturbed at home and respected abroad。
Should this nation on some occasions become the centre of the negotiations of Europe； probity and good faith would be carried to a greater height than in other places； because the ministers being frequently obliged to justify their conduct before a popular council； their negotiations could not be secret； and they would be forced to be； in this respect； a little more honest。
Besides； as they would in some sort be answerable for the events which an irregular conduct might produce； the surest； the safest way for them would be to take the straightest path。
If the nobles were formerly possessed of an immoderate power； and the monarch had found the means of abasing them by raising the people； the point of extreme servitude must have been that between humbling the nobility and that in which the people began to feel their power。
Thus this nation； having been formerly subject to an arbitrary power； on many occasions preserves the style of it； in such a manner as to let us frequently see upon the foundation of a free government the form of an absolute monarchy。
With regard to religion； as in this state every subject has a free will； and must consequently be either conducted by the light of his own mind or by the caprice of fancy； it necessarily follows that every one must either look upon all religion with indifference； by which means they are led to embrace the established religion； or they must be zealous for religion in general； by which means the number of sects is increased。
It is not impossible but that in this nation there may be men of no religion； who would not； however； bear to be obliged to change that which they would choose； if they cared to choose any； for they would immediately perceive that their lives and fortunes are not more peculiarly theirs than their manner of thinking； and that whoever would deprive them of the one might even with better reason take away the other。
If； among the different religions； there is one that has been attempted to be established by methods of slavery； it must there be odious； because as we judge of things by the appendages we join with them； it could never present itself to the mind in conjunction with the idea of liberty。
The laws against those who profess this religion could not； however； be of the sanguinary kind； for liberty can never inflict such punishments； but they may be so rigorous as to do all the mischief that can be done in cold blood。
It is possible that a thousand circumstances might concur to give the clergy so little credit； that other citizens may have more。 Therefore； instead of a separation； they have chosen rather to support the same burdens as the laity； and in this respect to make only one body with them； but as they always seek to conciliate the respect of the people； they distinguish themselves by a more retired life； a conduct more reserved； and a greater purity of manners。
The clergy not being able to protect religion； nor to be protected by it； only seek to persuade； their pens therefore furnish us with excellent works in proof of a revelation and of the providence of the Supreme Being。
Yet the state prevents the sitting of their assemblies； and does not suffer them to correct their own abuses； it chooses thus； through a caprice of liberty； rather to leave their reformation imperfect than to suffer the clergy to be the reformers。
Those dignities which make a fundamental part of the constitution are more fixed than elsewhere； but； on the other hand； the great in this country of liberty are nearer upon a level with the people； their ranks are more separated； and their persons more confounded。
As those who govern have a power which； in some measure； has need of fresh vigour every day； they have a greater regard for such as are useful to them than for those who only contribute to their amusement： we see； therefore； fewer courtiers； flatterers； and parasites； in short； fewer of all those who make their own advantage of the folly of the great。
Men are less esteemed for frivolous talents and attainments than for essential qualities； and of this kind there are but two； riches and personal merit。
They enjoy a solid luxury； founded； not on the refinements of vanity； but on that of real wants； they ask nothing of nature but what nature can bestow。
The rich enjoy a great superfluity of fortune； and yet have no relish for frivolous amusements； thus； many having more wealth than opportunities of expense； employ it in a fantastic manner： in this nation they have more judgment than taste。
As they are always employed about their own interest； they have not that politeness which is founded on indolence； and they really have not leisure to attain it。
The era of Roman politeness is the same as that of the establishment of arbitrary power。 An absolute government produces indolence； and this gives birth to politeness。
The more people there are in a nation who require circumspect behaviour； and care not to displease； the more there is o