Without instruments, these princes can do
nothing. Whoever uses instruments, in finding helps, finds also
impediments. Their power is, therefore, by no means complete, nor
are they safe in extreme abuse. Such persons, however elevated by
flattery, arrogance, and self-opinion, must be sensible that,
whether covered or not by positive law, in some way or other they
are accountable even here for the abuse of their trust. If they are
not cut off by a rebellion of their people, they may be strangled by
the very janissaries kept for their security against all other
rebellion. Thus we have seen the king of France sold by his soldiers
for an increase of pay. But where popular authority is absolute and
unrestrained, the people have an infinitely greater, because a far
better founded, confidence in their own power. They are themselves, in
a great measure, their own instruments. They are nearer to their
objects. Besides, they are less under responsibility to one of the
greatest controlling powers on the earth, the sense of fame and
estimation. The share of infamy that is likely to fall to the lot of
each individual in public acts is small indeed, the operation of
opinion being in the inverse ratio to the number of those who abuse
power. Their own approbation of their own acts has to them the
appearance of a public judgment in their favor. A perfect democracy
is, therefore, the most shameless thing in the world.
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