5.3. 3. What is meant by a Love of the Republic in a Democracy.
A love of the republic in a democracy is a love of the democracy; as
the latter is that of equality.
A love of the democracy is likewise that of frugality. Since every
individual ought here to enjoy the same happiness and the same
advantages, they should consequently taste the same pleasures and form
the same hopes, which cannot be expected but from a general frugality.
The love of equality in a democracy limits ambition to the sole
desire, to the sole happiness, of doing greater services to our country
than the rest of our fellow-citizens. They cannot all render her equal
services, but they all ought to serve her with equal alacrity. At our
coming into the world, we contract an immense debt to our country, which
we can never discharge.
Hence distinctions here arise from the principle of equality, even
when it seems to be removed by signal services or superior abilities.
The love of frugality limits thed desire of having to the study of
procuring necessaries to our family, and superfluities to our country.
Riches give a power which a citizen cannot use for himself, for then he
would be no longer equal. They likewise procure pleasures which he ought
not to enjoy, because these would be also repugnant to the equality.
Thus well-regulated democracies, by establishing domestic frugality,
made way at the same time for public expenses, as was the case at Rome
and Athens, when magnificence and profusion arose from the very fund of
frugality. And as religion commands us to have pure and unspotted hands
when we make our offerings to the gods, the laws required a frugality of
life to enable them to be liberal to our country.
The good sense and happiness of individuals depend greatly upon the
mediocrity of their abilities and fortunes. Therefore, as a republic,
where the laws have placed many in a middling station, is composed of
wise men, it will be wisely governed; as it is composed of happy men, it
will be extremely happy.
