Where should we be if every one had his rights? Fancy every one's

having a hand in the government? Can you imagine a city ruled by its

citizens? Why, the citizens are the team, and the team cannot be driver.

To put to the vote is to throw to the winds. Would you have states

driven like clouds? Disorder cannot build up order. With chaos for an

architect, the edifice would be a Babel. And, besides, what tyranny is

this pretended liberty! As for me, I wish to enjoy myself; not to

govern. It is a bore to have to vote; I want to dance. A prince is a

providence, and takes care of us all. Truly the king is generous to take

so much trouble for our sakes. Besides, he is to the manner born. He

knows what it is. It's his business. Peace, War, Legislation,

Finance--what have the people to do with such things? Of course the

people have to pay; of course the people have to serve; but that should

suffice them. They have a place in policy; from them come two essential

things, the army and the budget. To be liable to contribute, and to be

liable to serve; is not that enough? What more should they want? They

are the military and the financial arm. A magnificent rôle. The king

reigns for them, and they must reward him accordingly. Taxation and the

civil list are the salaries paid by the peoples and earned by the

prince. The people give their blood and their money, in return for which

they are led. To wish to lead themselves! what an absurd idea! They

require a guide; being ignorant, they are blind. Has not the blind man

his dog? Only the people have a lion, the king, who consents to act the

dog. How kind of him! But why are the people ignorant? because it is

good for them. Ignorance is the guardian of Virtue. Where there is no

perspective there is no ambition. The ignorant man is in useful

darkness, which, suppressing sight, suppresses covetousness: whence

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The Man Who Laughs