Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/471

Rh

F in any part of the world there had been a nation whose inhabitants were of a sociable temper, open hearted, pleased with life, possessed of judgment, and a facility in communicating their thoughts; who were sprightly, agreeable, gay, sometimes imprudent, often indiscreet; and besides had courage, generosity, frankness, and a certain point of honor; no one ought to endeavour to restrain their manners by laws, unless he would lay a constraint on their virtues. If in general the character is good, the little faults that may be found in it, will be of small importance.

They might lay a restraint upon women, make laws to correct their manners, and to limit their luxury: but who knows but that by this means, they might lose that peculiar taste which would be the source of the riches of the nation, and that politeness which would render the country frequented by strangers?

It is the business of the legislature to follow the spirit of the nation, when it is not contrary to the principles of government; for we do nothing so well as when we act with freedom, and follow the bent of our natural genius.

If an air of pedantry be given to a nation that is naturally gay, the state will gain no advantage from it, either at home or abroad. Leave it to do frivolous things in the most serious manner, and with gaiety things the most serious. Rh