Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/339

 PHOCION. 331 lowed up in the common ruin ; those who endeavor to lead them aright, perish the first in their attempt. Astronomers tell us, the sun's motion is neither exactly parallel with that of the heavens in general, nor yet directly and diametrically opposite, hut describing an ob- lique line, with insensible declination he steers his course in such a gentle, easy curve, as to dispense his light and in- fluence, in his annual revolution, at several seasons, in just proportions to the whole creation. So it happens in political affairs ; if the motions of rulers be constantly opposite and cross to the tempers and inclination of the people, they will be resented as arbitrary and harsh ; as, on the other side, too much deference, or encouragement, as too often it has been, to popular faults and errors, is full of danger and ruinous consequences. But where con- cession is the response to willing obedience, and a states- man gratifies his people, that he may the more impera- tively recall them to a sense of the common interest, then, indeed, human beings, who are ready enough to serve well and submit to much, if they are not always ordered about and roughly handled, like slaves, may be said to be guided and governed upon the method that leads to safety. Though it must be confessed, it is a nice point and extremely difficult, so to temper this lenity as to preserve the authority of the government. But if such a blessed mixture and temperament may be ob- tained, it seems to be of all concords and harmonies the most concordant and most harmonious. For thus we are taught even God governs the world, not by irresistible force, but persuasive argument and reason, controlling it into compliance with his eternal purposes. Cato the younger is a similar instance. His manners were little agreeable or acceptable to the people, and he received very slender marks of their favor ; witness his repulse when he sued for the consulship, which he lost, as