History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 04Carlyle, Thomas
History
History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 04
Carlyle, Thomas
Frederick II, King of Prussia, 1712-1786; Prussia (Germany) -- History -- Frederick II, 1740-1786; Social problems
and unreasonable violences, is on record concerning Friedrich Wilhelm,
though it is to the latter chiefly that the world has directed its
unwise attention, in judging of him. He was a very arbitrary King. Yes,
but then a good deal of his ARBITRIUM, or sovereign will, was that of
the Eternal Heavens as well; and did exceedingly behoove to be done, if
the Earth would prosper. Which is an immense consideration in regard
to his sovereign will and him! He was prompt with his rattan, in urgent
cases; had his gallows also, prompt enough, where needful. Let him see
that no mistakes happen, as certainly he means that none shall!
Yearly he made his country richer; and this not in money alone (which
is of very uncertain value, and sometimes has no value at all, and even
less), but in frugality, diligence, punctuality, veracity,--the grand
fountains from which money, and all real values and valors spring for
men. To Friedrich Wilhelm in his rustio simplicity, money had no lack of
value; rather the reverse. To the homespun man it was a success of most
excellent quality, and the chief symbol of success in all kinds. Yearly
he made his own revenues, and his people's along with them and as
the source of them, larger: and in all states of his revenue, he had
contrived to make his expenditure less than it; and yearly saved
masses of coin, and "reposited them in barrels in the cellars of his
Schloss,"--where they proved very useful, one day. Much in Friedrich
Wilhelm proved useful, beyond even his expectations. As a Nation's
HUSBAND he seeks his fellow among Kings, ancient and modern. Happy the
Nation which gets such a Husband, once in the half-thousand years. The
Nation, as foolish wives and Nations do, repines and grudges a good
deal, its weak whims and will being thwarted very often; but it advances
steadily, with consciousness or not, in the way of well-doing; and
afterlong times the harvest of this diligent sowing becomes manifest to
the Nation and to all Nations.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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