Of the Clemency of the Prince. Clemency is the characteristic of
monarchs. In republics, whose principle is virtue, it is not so
necessary. In despotic governments, where fear predominates, it is less
customary, because the great men are to be restrained by examples of
severity. It is more necessary in monarchies, where they are governed by
honour, which frequently requires what the very law forbids. Disgrace is
here equivalent to chastisement; and even the forms of justice are
punishments. This is because particular kinds of penalty are formed by
shame, which on every side invades the delinquent.
The great men in monarchies are so heavily punished by disgrace, by
the loss (though often imaginary) of their fortune, credit,
acquaintances, and pleasures, that rigour in respect to them is
needless. It can tend only to divest the subject of the affection he has
for the person of his prince, and of the respect he ought to have for
public posts and employments.
As the instability of the great is natural to a despotic government,
so their security is interwoven with the nature of monarchy.
So many are the advantages which monarchs gain by clemency, so
greatly does it raise their fame, and endear them to their subjects,
that it is generally happy for them to have an opportunity of displaying
it; which in this part of the world is seldom wanting.
Some branch, perhaps, of their authority, but never hardly the
whole, will be disputed; and if they sometimes fight for their crown,
they do not fight for their life.
But some may ask when it is proper to punish, and when to pardon.
This is a point more easily felt that prescribed. When there is danger
in the exercise of clemency, it is visible; nothing so easy as to
distinguish it from that imbecility which exposes princes to contempt
and to the very incapacity of punishing.
The Emperor Maurice made a resolution never to spill the blood of
his subjects. Anastasius
[64]
punished no crimes at all. Isaac Angelus took an oath that no one should be
put to death during his reign. Those Greek emperors forgot that it was not for
nothing they were entrusted with the sword.
