Page:Montesquieu - The spirit of laws.djvu/500

448 abuses; it chuses thus, through a caprice of liberty, rather to leave their reformation imperfect, than to suffer the clergy to be the reformers.

Those dignities which make a fundamental part of the constitution are more fixed than elsewhere; but, on the other hand, the great, in this country of liberty, are nearer upon a level with the people; their ranks are more separated, and their persons more confounded.

As those who govern have a power which, in some measure, has need of fresh vigor every day, they have a greater regard for those who are useful to them, than for those who only contribute to their amusement: we see therefore fewer countries, flatterers and parasites, in short fewer of all those who make their own advantage of the folly of the great.

Men are less esteemed for frivolous talents and attainments, than for essential qualities; and of this kind there are but two, riches, and personal merit.

They enjoy a solid luxury, founded not on the refinements of vanity, but on that of real wants; they ask nothing of nature but what nature can be bestow.

The rich enjoy a great superfluity of fortune, and yet have no relish for frivolous amusements: thus many having more wealth than opportunities of expence, employ it in a fantastical manner: in this nation they have more judgment than taste.

As they are always employed about their own interest, they have not that politeness which is founded on indolence; and they really have not leisure to attain it.

The æra of Roman politeness is the same as that of the establishment of arbitrary power. An Rh