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and carry away others to govern in their stead。 In this they seem
to have fallen upon a very good expedient for their own happiness
and safety； for since the good or ill condition of a nation
depends so much upon their magistrates； they could not have made a
better choice than by pitching on men whom no advantages can bias；
for wealth is of no use to them； since they must so soon go back
to their own country； and they being strangers among them； are not
engaged in any of their heats or animosities； and it is certain
that when public judicatories are swayed； either by avarice or
partial affections； there must follow a dissolution of justice；
the chief sinew of society。
The Utopians call those nations that come and ask magistrates from
them； neighbors； but those to whom they have been of more
particular service； friends。 And as all other nations are
perpetually either making leagues or breaking them； they never
enter into an alliance with any State。 They think leagues are
useless things； and believe that if the common ties of humanity do
not knit men together； the faith of promises will have no great
effect； and they are the more confirmed in this by what they see
among the nations round about them； who are no strict observers of
leagues and treaties。 We know how religiously they are observed in
Europe； more particularly where the Christian doctrine is
received； among whom they are sacred and inviolable； which is
partly owing to the justice and goodness of the princes
themselves； and partly to the reverence they pay to the popes； who
as they are most religious observers of their own promises； so
they exhort all other princes to perform theirs； and when fainter
methods do not prevail； they compel them to it by the severity of
the pastoral censure； and think that it would be the most indecent
thing possible if men who are particularly distinguished by the
title of the 〃faithful〃 should not religiously keep the faith of
their treaties。 But in that newfound world； which is not more
distant from us in situation than the people are in their manners
and course of life； there is no trusting to leagues； even though
they were made with all the pomp of the most sacred ceremonies； on
the contrary； they are on this account the sooner broken； some
slight pretence being found in the words of the treaties； which
are purposely couched in such ambiguous terms that they can never
be so strictly bound but they will always find some loophole to
escape at； and thus they break both their leagues and their faith。
And this is done with such impudence； that those very men who
value themselves on having suggested these expedients to their
princes； would with a haughty scorn declaim against such craft；
or； to speak plainer； such fraud and deceit； if they found private
men make use of it in their bargains； and would readily say that
they deserved to be hanged。
By this means it is； that all sorts of justice passes in the world
for a low…spirited and vulgar virtue； far below the dignity of
royal greatness。 Or at least； there are set up two sorts of
justice； the one is mean； and creeps on the ground； and therefore
becomes none but the lower part of mankind； and so must be kept in
severely by many restraints that it may not break out beyond the
bounds that are set to it。 The other is the peculiar virtue of
princes； which as it is more majestic than that which becomes the
rabble； so takes a freer compass； and thus lawful and unlawful are
only measured by pleasure and interest。 These practices of the
princes that lie about Utopia； who make so little account of their
faith； seem to be the reasons that determine them to engage in no
confederacies； perhaps they would change their mind if they lived
among us； but yet though treaties were more religiously observed；
they would still dislike the custom of making them； since the
world has taken up a false maxim upon it； as if there were no tie
of nature uniting one nation to another； only separated perhaps by
a mountain or a river； and that all were born in a state of
hostility； and so might lawfully do all that mischief to their
neighbors against which there is no provision made by treaties；
and that when treaties are made； they do not cut off the enmity；
or restrain the license of preying upon each other； if by the
unskilfulness of wording them there are not effectual provisos
made against them。 They； on the other hand； judge that no man is
to be esteemed our enemy that has never injured us； and that the
partnership of the human nature is instead of a league。 And that
kindness and good…nature unite men more effectually and with
greater strength than any agreements whatsoever； since thereby the
engagements of men's hearts become stronger than the bond and
obligation of words。