CHAP. VIII.
In what manner the Laws ought to be relative to the principle of Government in an Aristocracy.
Book V.
Chap. 8.IF the people are virtuous in an aristocracy, they enjoy very near the same happiness as in a popular government, and the state grows powerful. But as a great share of virtue is a very rare thing where men's fortunes are so unequal, the laws must tend as much as possible to infuse a spirit of moderation, and endeavour to re-establish that equality which was necessarily removed by the constitution.
The spirit of moderation is what we call virtue in an aristocracy; it supplies the place of the spirit of equality in a popular state.
As the pomp and splendor with which kings are surrounded, form a part of their power, so modesty and simplicity of manners constitute the strength of an aristocratic nobility[1]. When they affect no distinction, when they mix with the people, dress like them, and with them share all their pleasures, the people are apt .to forget their subjection and weakness.
Every government has its nature and principle. An aristocracy must not therefore assume the nature and principle of monarchy; which would be the case, were the nobles to be invested with personal and particular privileges distinct from those
- ↑ In our days the Venetians, who in many respects may be said to have a very wise government, decided a dispute between a noble Venetian and a gentleman of Terra suma in respect to precedency in a church, by declaring that out of Venice a noble Venetian, had no pre-eminence over any other citizen.
