As far as the
majority, able to protect itself, their main sensibilities were
respected, especially the most sensitive, this one or that one, as the
case might be, now the conscience which binds man to his religion, now
that amour-propre on which honor depends, and now the habits which
make man cling to customs, hereditary usages and outward observances.
As far as the others were concerned, those which relate to property,
personal welfare, and social position, it proceeded cautiously and
with moderation. In this way the discretion of the ruler lessened the
resistance of the subject, and a daring enterprise, even mischievous,
was not outrageous; it might be carried out; nothing was required but
a force in hand equal to the resistance it provoked.
Again, and on the other hand, the tyrant possessed this force. Very
many and very strong arms stood behind the prince ready to cooperate
with him and countervail any resistance. - Behind Philip II. or
Louis XIV. ready to drive the dissidents out or at least to consent
to their oppression, stood the Catholic majority, as fanatical or as
illiberal as their king. Behind Philip II., Louis XIV., Frederick
II.
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