29.19. 19. Of Legislators.
Aristotle wanted to indulge sometimes his
jealousy against Plato, and sometimes his passion for Alexander. Plato
was incensed against the tyranny of the people of Athens. Machiavel was
full of his idol, the Duke of Valentinois. Sir Thomas More, who spoke
rather of what he had read than of what he thought, wanted to govern all
states with the simplicity of a Greek city.
[49]
Harrington was full of
the idea of his favourite republic of England, while a crowd of writers
saw nothing but confusion where monarchy is abolished. The laws always
conform to the passions and prejudices of the legislator; sometimes the
latter pass through, and only tincture them; sometimes they remain, and
are incorporated with them.
Footnotes
