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striking terror into others。 For the most part； slavery is the
punishment even of the greatest crimes； for as that is no less
terrible to the criminals themselves than death； so they think the
preserving them in a state of servitude is more for the interest
of the commonwealth than killing them； since as their labor is a
greater benefit to the public than their death could be； so the
sight of their misery is a more lasting terror to other men than
that which would be given by their death。 If their slaves rebel；
and will not bear their yoke and submit to the labor that is
enjoined them； they are treated as wild beasts that cannot be kept
in order； neither by a prison nor by their chains； and are at last
put to death。 But those who bear their punishment patiently； and
are so much wrought on by that pressure that lies so hard on them
that it appears they are really more troubled for the crimes they
have committed than for the miseries they suffer； are not out of
hope but that at last either the Prince will； by his prerogative；
or the people by their intercession； restore them again to their
liberty； or at least very much mitigate their slavery。 He that
tempts a married woman to adultery is no less severely punished
than he that commits it； for they believe that a deliberate design
to commit a crime is equal to the fact itself： since its not
taking effect does not make the person that miscarried in his
attempt at all the less guilty。
They take great pleasure in fools； and as it is thought a base and
unbecoming thing to use them ill； so they do not think it amiss
for people to divert themselves with their folly： and； in their
opinion； this is a great advantage to the fools themselves： for if
men were so sullen and severe as not at all to please themselves
with their ridiculous behavior and foolish sayings； which is all
that they can do to recommend themselves to others； it could not
be expected that they would be so well provided for； nor so
tenderly used as they must otherwise be。 If any man should
reproach another for his being misshaped or imperfect in any part
of his body； it would not at all be thought a reflection on the
person so treated； but it would be accounted scandalous in him
that had upbraided another with what he could not help。 It is
thought a sign of a sluggish and sordid mind not to preserve
carefully one's natural beauty； but it is likewise infamous among
them to use paint。 They all see that no beauty recommends a wife
so much to her husband as the probity of her life； and her
obedience： for as some few are caught and held only by beauty； so
all are attracted by the other excellences which charm all the
world。
As they fright men from committing crimes by punishments； so they
invite them to the love of virtue by public honors： therefore they
erect statues to the memories of such worthy men as have deserved
well of their country； and set these in their market…places； both
to perpetuate the remembrance of their actions； and to be an
incitement to their posterity to follow their example。
If any man aspires to any office； he is sure never to compass it：
they all live easily together； for none of the magistrates are
either insolent or cruel to the people： they affect rather to be
called fathers； and by being really so； they well deserve the
name； and the people pay them all the marks of honor the more
freely； because none are exacted from them。 The Prince himself has
no distinction； either of garments or of a crown； but is only
distinguished by a sheaf of corn carried before him； as the high…
priest is also known by his being preceded by a person carrying a
wax light。
They have but few laws； and such is their constitution that they
need not many。 They very much condemn other nations； whose laws；
together with the commentaries on them； swell up to so many
volumes； for they think it an unreasonable thing to oblige men to
obey a body of laws that are both of such a bulk and so dark as
not to be read and understood by every one of the subjects。
They have no lawyers among them； for they consider them as a sort
of people whose profession it is to disguise matters and to wrest
the laws； and therefore they think it is much better that every
man should plead his own cause； and trust it to the judge； as in
other places the client trusts it to a counsellor。 By this means
they both cut off many delays； and find out truth more certainly：
for after the parties have laid open the merits of the cause；
without those artifices which lawyers are apt to suggest； the
judge examines the whole matter； and supports the simplicity of
such well…meaning persons； whom otherwise crafty men would be sure
to run down： and thus they avoid those evils which appear very
remarkably among all those nations that labor under a vast load of
laws。 Every one of them is skilled in their law； for as it is a
very short study； so the plainest meaning of which words are
capable is always the sense of their laws。 And they argue thus：
all laws are promulgated for this end； that every man may know his
duty； and therefore the plainest and most obvious sense of the
words is that which ought to be put upon them； since a more
refined exposition cannot be easily comprehended； and would only
serve to make the laws become useless to the greater part of
mankind； and especially to those who need most the direction of
them： for it is all one； not to make a law at all； or to couch it
in such terms that without a quick apprehension； and much study； a
man cannot find out the true meaning of it； since the generality
of mankind are both so dull and so much employed in their several
trades that they have neither the leisure nor the capacity
requisite for such an inquiry。
Some of their neighbors； who are masters of their own liberties；
having long ago； by the assistance of the Utopians； shaken off the
yoke of tyranny； and being much taken with those virtues which
they observe among them； have come to desire that they would send
magistrates to govern them； some changing them every year； and
others every five years。 At the end of their government they bring
them back to Utopia； with great expressions of honor and esteem；
and carry away others to govern in their stead。 In this they seem
to have fallen upon a very good expedient for their own happiness
and safety； for since the good or ill condition of a nation
depends so much upon their magistrates； they could not have made a
better choice than by pitching on men whom no advantages can bias；
for wealth is of no use to them； since they must so soon go back
to their own country； and they being strangers among them； are not
engaged in any of their heats or animosities； and it is certain
that when public judicatories are swayed； either by avarice or
partial affections； there must follow a dissolution of justice；
the chief sinew of society。
The Utopians call those nations that come and ask magistrates from
them； neighbors； but those to whom they have been of more
particular service； friends。 And as all other nations are
perpetually either making leagues or breaking them； they never
enter into an alliance with any State。 They think leagues are
useless things； and believe that if the common ties of humanity do
not knit men together； the faith of promises will have no great
effect； and they are the more confirmed in this by what they see
among the nations round about them； who are no strict observers of
leagues and treaties。 We know how religiously they are observed in
Europe； more particularly where the Christian doctrine is
received； among whom they are sacred and inviolable； which is
partly owing to the justice and goodness of the princes
themselves； and partly to the reverence they pay to the popes； who
as they are most religious observers of their own promises； so
they exhort all other princes to perform theirs； and when fainter
methods do not prevail； they compel them to it by the severity of
the pastoral censure； and think that it would be the most indecent
thing possi