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Taine, Hippolyte, 1828-1893

"The French Revolution - Volume 3"


[3] Fustel de Coulanges,"La Cit? Antique", ch. XVII.
[4] Plato, "The Apology of Socrates." - See also in the "Crito"
Socrates' reasons for not eluding the penalty imposed on him. The
antique conception of the State is here clearly set forth.
[5] Cf. the code of Manu, the Zendavesta, the Pentateuch and the
Tcheou-Li. In this last code (Biot's translation), will be found the
perfection of the system, particularly in vol. I., 241, 247, II.,
393, III., 9, 11, 21, 52. "Every district chief, on the twelfth day
of the first moon, assembles together the men of his district and
reads to them the table of rules; he examines their virtue, their
conduct, their progress in the right path, and in their knowledge, and
encourages them; he investigates their errors, their failings and
prevents them from doing evil. . . . Superintendents of marriages
see that young people marry at the prescribed age." The reduction of
man to a State automaton is plain enough in the institution of
"Overseer of Gags. . ." At all grand hunts, at all gatherings of
troops, he orders the application of gags. In these cases gags are
put in the soldiers' mouths; they then fulfill their duties without
tumult or shouting.


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