ROBESPIERRE. So they say. But I hesitated to believe it. DANTON. Don't you like it? ROBESPIERRE. I don't think so. DANTON. Well, there is one thing that you can never prevent: people loving Danton. ROBESPIERRE. The word love is common, the reality rare. DANTON [_with a sneer_]. It is said that there are certain men who never know it. ROBESPIERRE [_after a short pause, says coldly, his hands twitching nervously_]. I have not come to discuss Danton's debaucheries. Camille, in spite of my warnings, you insist on following bad advice and giving in to your own foolish impulses. Your pamphlet is sowing seeds of dissension all over France. You are wasting your mind and destroying public confidence in men who are necessary to the Republic. All the reactionaries are making use of your sarcastic remarks and directing them against the cause of Liberty. For a long time I have combated the hatred you arouse, and twice I have saved you; but I cannot continue forever. The State is alive with sedition; and I have no sympathy for any will that is against the State. CAMILLE [_hurt_]. Please spare yourself the trouble of thinking of me. Your solicitude is touching, Maximilien, but I need no one's help. I can defend myself, and I can walk alone. ROBESPIERRE. You are vain. Don't try to answer me. Your stupidity is your only excuse. CAMILLE. I need no excuse. I have deserved well of the _Patrie._ I defend the Republic against the Republicans. I have spoken freely, and I have spoken the truth. The moment it is not good to speak every truth, there is no more Republic. The Republicans' motto is like the wind blowing over the waves of the sea: _Tollunt, sed attollunt!_ It agitates, but raises them at the same time! ROBESPIERRE. The Republic is not yet, Desmoulins. We are making it. You cannot found liberty with liberty. Like Rome in troubled times, the nation must be under a dictator who shall tear down all obstacles, and conquer. It is ridiculous to maintain that since Europe and every faction menaces the Republic, you have the right to say everything, do everything, and with word and deed, put weapons into the hands of the enemy. CAMILLE. What weapons have I given the enemy? I have defended the most sacred things in the world: fraternity, holy equality--the heart and soul of Republican maxims, the _res sacra miser;_ respect for misery, which is commanded by our sublime Constitution. I have made men love liberty. I wished to light up the eyes of all peoples with the radiant image of happiness.