Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/449

Rh injustice than that which springs from violence; and the weak, by uniting, defend themselves from its effects. They have nothing there but political regulations. But where money is established, they are subject to that injustice which proceeds from craft; an injustice that may be exercised a thousand ways. From hence they are forced to have good civil laws, which spring up with the new means, and the several methods of becoming wicked.

In countries where they have no money, the robber takes only bare moveables, which have no resemblance to each other. In countries where they make use of money, the robber takes the signs, and these always resemble each other. In the first nothing can be concealed, because the robber always take along with him the proofs of his conviction; but in the others, it is quite the contrary.

HE greatest security of the liberties of a people who do not cultivate the earth, is their not knowing the use of money. What is gained by hunting, fishing, or keeping herds of cattle, cannot be assembled in such great quantities, nor be sufficiently preserved, for one man to find himself in a condition to corrupt many others: but when, instead of this, a man has the sign of riches, he may obtain a large quantity of these signs, and distribute them amongst whom he pleases.

The people who have no money, have but few wants, and these are supplied both with ease, and Rh