The neglect of any insignificant rite might offend them and ruin
it. In the second place, there was incessant warfare, and the spoils
of war were atrocious; on a city being taken every citizen might
expect to be killed or maimed, or sold at auction, and see his
children and wife sold to the highest bidder.[2] In short, the antique
city, with its acropolis of temples and its fortified citadel
surrounded by implacable and threatening enemies, resembles for us the
institution of the Knights of St. John on their rocks at Rhodes or
Malta, a religious and military confraternity encamped around a
church. - Liberty, under such conditions, is out of the question:
public convictions are too imperious; public danger is too great.
With this pressure upon him, and thus hampered, the individual gives
himself up to the community, which takes full possession of him,
because, to maintain its own existence, it needs the whole man.
Henceforth, no one may develop apart and for himself; no one may act
or think except within fixed lines. The type of Man is distinctly and
clearly marked out, if not logically at least traditionally; each
life, as well as each portion of each life must conform to this type;
otherwise public security is compromised: any falling off in gymnastic
education weakens the army; passing the images of the gods and
neglecting the usual libation draws down celestial vengeance on the
city.
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