Establish these roving men in fixed dwellings; teach them
to keep flocks.... Endeavour to develop the social qualities which
nature has implanted in them.... Make them begin to practise the
duties of humanity.... Cause the pleasures of the passions to
become distasteful to them by punishments, and you will see these
barbarians, with every plan of your legislation, lose a vice and
gain a virtue.
"All these people have had laws. But few among them have been
happy. Why is this? Because legislators have almost always been
ignorant of the object of society, which is, to unite families by a
common interest.
"Impartiality in law consists in two things:--in establishing
equality in the fortunes and in the dignity of the citizens.... In
proportion to the degree of equality established by the laws, the
dearer will they become to every citizen.... How can avarice,
ambition, dissipation, idleness, sloth, envy, hatred, or jealousy,
agitate men who are equal in fortune and dignity, and to whom the
laws leave no hope of disturbing their equality?
"What has been told you of the republic of Sparta ought to
enlighten you on this question. No other State has had laws more in
accordance with the order of nature or of equality."
It is not to be wondered at that the 17th and 18th centuries should have
looked upon the human race as inert matter, ready to receive everything,
form, figure, impulse, movement, and life, from a great prince, or a
great legislator, or a great genius.
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