24.16. 16. How the Laws of Religion correct the Inconveniences of a
political Constitution.
On the other hand, religion may support a state
when the laws themselves are incapable of doing it.
Thus when a kingdom is frequently agitated by civil wars, religion
may do much by obliging one part of the state to remain always quiet.
Among the Greeks, the Eleans, as priests of Apollo, lived always in
peace. In Japan,
[16]
the city of Meaco enjoys a constant peace, as being
a holy city. Religion supports this regulation, and that empire, which
seems to be alone upon earth, and which neither has nor will have any
dependence on foreigners, has always in its own bosom a trade which war
cannot ruin.
In kingdoms where wars are not entered upon by a general consent,
and where the laws have not pointed out any means either of terminating
or preventing them, religion establishes times of peace, or cessation
from hostilities, that the people may be able to sow their corn and
perform those other labours which are absolutely necessary for the
subsistence of the state.
Every year all hostility ceases between the Arabian tribes for four
months: the least disturbance would then be an impiety.
[17]
In former
times, when every lord in France declared war or peace, religion granted
a truce, which was to take place at certain seasons.
Footnotes
[16]
"Collection of Voyages that Contributed to the Establishment of
the East India Company," vol. iv, part I, p. 127.
[17]
See Prideaux, "Life of Mahomet," p. 64.
