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But the worshippers and admirers of these gods delight in imitating
their scandalous iniquities, and are nowise concerned that the republic
be less depraved and licentious. Only let it remain undefeated, they
say, only let it flourish and abound in resources; let it be glorious
by its victories, or still better, secure in peace; and what matters
it to us? This is our concern, that every man be able to increase his
wealth so as to supply his daily prodigalities, and so that the
powerful may subject the weak for their own purposes. Let the poor
court the rich for a living, and that under their protection they may
enjoy a sluggish tranquillity; and let the rich abuse the poor as their
dependants, to minister to their pride. Let the people applaud not
those who protect their interests, but those who provide them with
pleasure. Let no severe duty be commanded, no impurity forbidden.
Let kings estimate their prosperity, not by the righteousness, but by
the servility of their subjects. Let the provinces stand loyal to the
kings, not as moral guides, but as lords of their possessions and
purveyors of their pleasures; not with a hearty reverence, but a
crooked and servile fear. Let the laws take cognizance rather of the
injury done to another man's property, than of that done to one's own
person. If a man be a nuisance to his neighbor, or injure his
property, family, or person, let him be actionable; but in his own
affairs let everyone with impunity do what he will in company with his
own family, and with those who willingly join him. Let there be a
plentiful supply of public prostitutes for every one who wishes to use
them, but specially for those who are too poor to keep one for their
private use. Let there be erected houses of the largest and most
ornate description: in these let there be provided the most sumptuous
banquets, where every one who pleases may, by day or night, play,
drink, vomit, dissipate. Let there be everywhere heard the rustling
of dancers, the loud, immodest laughter of the theatre; let a
succession of the most cruel and the most voluptuous pleasures maintain
a perpetual excitement. If such happiness is distasteful to any, let
him be branded as a public enemy; and if any attempt to modify or put
an end to it let him be silenced, banished, put an end to. Let these
be reckoned the true gods, who procure for the people this condition of
things, and preserve it when once possessed. Let them be worshipped
as they wish; let them demand whatever games they please, from or with
their own worshippers; only let them secure that such felicity be not
imperilled by foe, plague, or disaster of any kind. What sane man
would compare a republic such as this, I will not say to the Roman
empire, but to the palace of Sardanapalus, the ancient king who was
so abandoned to pleasures, that he caused it to be inscribed on his
tomb, that now that he was dead, he possessed only those things which
he had swallowed and consumed by his appetites while alive? If these
men had such a king as this, who, while self-indulgent, should lay
no severe restraint on them, they would more enthusiastically
consecrate to him a temple and a flamen than the ancient Romans did to
Romulus.
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