Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/42

xxxviii ''without the least seruple; but in an enlightened age they even tremble, while conferring the greatest blessings. They perceive the ancient abuses; they see how they must be reformed; but they are sensible also of the abuses of the reformation. They let the evil continue, if they fear a worse; they are content with a lesser good, if they doubt of greater. They examine into the parts, to judge of them in connection, and they examine all the causes to discover their different effects.''

Could I but succeed so as to afford new reasons to every man to love his prince, his country, his laws; new reasons to render him more sensible in every nation and government of the blessings be enjoys, I should think myself the most happy of mortals.

Could I but succeed so as to persuade those who command, to increase their knowledge in what they ought to prescribe; and those who obey, to find a new pleasure resulting from their obedience; I should think myself the most happy of mortals.

''The most happy of mortals should I think myself, could I contribute to make mankind recover from their prejudices. By prejudices, I'' Rh