discontentment. It is certain, so many overthrown estates, so many votes for troubles. Lucan[1] noteth well the state of Rome before the civil war,
Hinc usura vorax, rapidumque in tempore fœnus,
Hinc concussa fides, et multis utile bellum.[2]
This same multis utile bellum, is an assured and infallible sign of a state disposed to seditions and troubles. And if this poverty and broken estate[3] in the better sort be joined with a want and necessity in the mean people, the danger is imminent and great. For the rebellions of the belly are the worst. As for discontentments, they are in the politic body like to humours in the natural, which are apt to gather a preternatural heat and to inflame. And let no prince measure the danger of them by this, whether they be just or unjust: for that were to imagine people to be too reasonable; who do often spurn at their own good: nor yet by this, whether the griefs[4] whereupon they rise be in fact great or small: for they are the most dangerous discontentments where the fear is greater than the feeling: Dolendi modus, timendi non item.[5] Besides, in great oppressions, the same things that
- ↑ Marcus Annaeus Lucan, 39–65 A.D., a Roman poet; he wrote the Civilis Belli Libri X, called the Pharsalia, an epic poem in ten books on the war between Caesar and Pompey.
- ↑ Hence voracious usury, and interest rapidly compounding; hence broken faith, and war profitable to many.
Hinc usura vorax, avidumque in tempore foenus,
concussa fides; et multis utile bellum.
Lucan. Civilis Belli Liber I. 181–182. - ↑ Estate. Condition.
- ↑ Griefs. Grievances.
"Be factious for redress of all these griefs."
Shakspere. Julius Caesar. i. 3. - ↑ There is a limit to suffering, but to fear not so.
