CHAP. III.
Of Education in a despotic Government.
Book IV.
Chap. 3.AS education in monarchies tends only to raise and ennoble the mind, so in despotic governments its only aim is to debase it. Here it must necessarily be servile; even in power such an education will be an advantage, because every tyrant is at the same time a slave.
Excessive obedience supposes ignorance in the person that obeys: the same it supposes in him that commands; for he has no occasion to deliberate, to doubt, to reason; he has only to will.
In despotic states each house is a separate government. As education therefore consists chiefly in social converse, it must be here very much limited; all it does is to strike the heart with fear, and to imprint on the understanding a very simple notion of a few principles of religion. Learning here proves dangerous, emulation fatal; and as to virtue, Aristotle cannot think there is any one virtue belonging to slaves[1]; if so, education in despotic countries is confined within a very narrow compass.
Here therefore education is in some measure needless: to give something one must take away every thing; and begin with making a bad subject in order to make a good slave.
For why should education take pains in forming a good citizen, only to make him share in the public misery? If he loves his country, he will strive to relax the springs of government: if he miscarries, he will be undone; if he succeeds, he must expose himself, the prince, and his country to ruin.
- ↑ Polit. lib. 1.
