The habit of seeing kings accompanied by guards, drums, officers, and all the paraphernalia which mechanically inspire respect and awe, makes their countenance, when sometimes seen alone without these accompaniments, impress respect and awe on their subjects; because we cannot separate in thought their persons from the surroundings with which we see them usually joined.  And the world, which knows not that this effect is the result of habit, believes that it arises by a natural force, whence come these words, “The character of Divinity is stamped on his countenance,” etc.

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Justice.—­As custom determines what is agreeable, so also does it determine justice.

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King and tyrant.—­I, too, will keep my thoughts secret.

I will take care on every journey.

Greatness of establishment, respect for establishment.

The pleasure of the great is the power to make people happy.

The property of riches is to be given liberally.

The property of each thing must be sought.  The property of power is to protect.

When force attacks humbug, when a private soldier takes the square cap off a first president, and throws it out of the window.

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The government founded on opinion and imagination reigns for some time, and this government is pleasant and voluntary; that founded on might lasts for ever.  Thus opinion is the queen of the world, but might is its tyrant.

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Justice is what is established; and thus all our established laws will necessarily be regarded as just without examination, since they are established.

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Sound opinions of the people.—­Civil wars are the greatest of evils.[121] They are inevitable, if we wish to reward desert; for all will say they are deserving.  The evil we have to fear from a fool who succeeds by right of birth, is neither so great nor so sure.

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God has created all for Himself.  He has bestowed upon Himself the power of pain and pleasure.

You can apply it to God, or to yourself.  If to God, the Gospel is the rule.  If to yourself, you will take the place of God.  As God is surrounded by persons full of charity, who ask of Him the blessings of charity that are in His power, so ...  Recognise then and learn that you are only a king of lust, and take the ways of lust.

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The reason of effects.—­It is wonderful that men would not have me honour a man clothed in brocade, and followed by seven or eight lackeys!  Why!  He will have me thrashed, if I do not salute him.  This custom is a force.  It is the same with a horse in fine trappings in comparison with another!  Montaigne[122] is a fool not to see what difference there is, to wonder at our finding any, and to ask the reason.  “Indeed,” says he, “how comes it,” etc....

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