Page:A discourse upon the origin and foundation of the inequality among mankind (IA discourseuponori00rous).pdf/326

 Points concerning Manners, where the Law can precribe no Meaure exact enough to erve as a Rule to Magitrates, it is with the greatet Widom that in order not to leave the Fate or the Rank of Citizens at their Dicretion, he forbids them to judge of Perons, and leaves Actions alone to their Dicretion. There are no Manners, but uch as vie in Purity with thoe of the old Romans, that can bear Cenors, and uch a Tribunal amongt us would oon throw every thing into Confuion. It belongs to publick Eteem to make a Difference between good and bad Men; the Magitrate is judge only as to trict Right; whereas the Multitude is the true judge of Manners; an upright and even an intelligent Judge in that Repect; a Judge which may indeed ometimes be impoed upon, but can never be corrupted. The Rank therefore of Citizens ought to be regulated, not according to their peronal Merit, for this would be putting it in the Power of Magitrates to make almot an arbitrary Application of the Law, but according to the real Services they render to the State, ince thee will admit of a more exact Etimation.