action:  and they did well to discharge their own judgment of it, and to refer it to others who were not so much concerned.  But Timoleon’s comportment in this expedition soon made his cause more clear, so worthily and virtuously he demeaned himself upon all occasions; and the good fortune that accompanied him in the difficulties he had to overcome in this noble employment, seemed to be strewed in his way by the gods, favourably conspiring for his justification.

The end of this matter is excusable, if any can be so; but the profit of the augmentation of the public revenue, that served the Roman Senate for a pretence to the foul conclusion I am going to relate, is not sufficient to warrant any such injustice.

Certain cities had redeemed themselves and their liberty by money, by the order and consent of the Senate, out of the hands of L. Sylla:  the business coming again in question, the Senate condemned them to be taxable as they were before, and that the money they had disbursed for their redemption should be lost to them.  Civil war often produces such villainous examples; that we punish private men for confiding in us when we were public ministers:  and the self-same magistrate makes another man pay the penalty of his change that has nothing to do with it; the pedagogue whips his scholar for his docility; and the guide beats the blind man whom he leads by the hand; a horrid image of justice.

There are rules in philosophy that are both false and weak.  The example that is proposed to us for preferring private utility before faith given, has not weight enough by the circumstances they put to it; robbers have seized you, and after having made you swear to pay them a certain sum of money, dismiss you.  ’Tis not well done to say, that an honest man can be quit of his oath without payment, being out of their hands.  ’Tis no such thing:  what fear has once made me willing to do, I am obliged to do it when I am no longer in fear; and though that fear only prevailed with my tongue without forcing my will, yet am I bound to keep my word.  For my part, when my tongue has sometimes inconsiderately said something that I did not think, I have made a conscience of disowning it:  otherwise, by degrees, we shall abolish all the right another derives from our promises and oaths: 

“Quasi vero forti viro vis possit adhiberi.”

          ["As though a man of true courage could be compelled.” 
          —­Cicero, De Offic., iii. 30.]

And ’tis only lawful, upon the account of private interest, to excuse breach of promise, when we have promised something that is unlawful and wicked in itself; for the right of virtue ought to take place of the right of any obligation of ours.