This remark proves, in our opinion, that the "Spirit of Laws," although sparkling with wit, and commendable by its respect for the laws and hatred of superstition and rapine, is founded entirely upon false views. Let us add, that it is precisely in courts that there is always least honor: _L'ingannare, il mentir, la frode, il furto,_ _E la rapina di pictà vestita,_ _Crescer coi damno e precipizio altrui,_ _E fare a se de l'altrui biasmo onore,_ _Son le virtù di quella gente infidà._ --PASTOR FIDO, atto v., scena i. _Ramper avec bassesse en affectant l'audace,_ _S'engraisser de rapine en attestant les lois,_ _Étouffer en secret son ami qu'on embrasse._ _Voilà l'honneur qui règne à la suite des rois._ To basely crawl, yet wear a face of pride; To rob the public, yet o'er law preside; Salute a friend, yet sting in the embrace-- Such is the _honor_ which in courts takes place. Indeed, it is in courts, that men devoid of honor often attain to the highest dignities; and it is in republics that a known dishonorable citizen is seldom trusted by the people with public concerns. The celebrated saying of the regent, duke of Orleans, is sufficient to destroy the foundation of the "Spirit of Laws": "This is a perfect courtier--he has neither temper nor honor." HUMILITY. Philosophers have inquired, whether humility is a virtue; but virtue or not, every one must agree that nothing is more rare. The Greeks called it "_tapeinosis_" or "tapeineia." It is strongly recommended in the fourth book of the "Laws of Plato": he rejects the proud and would multiply the humble. Epictetus, in five places, preaches humility: "If thou passest for a person of consequence in the opinion of some people, distrust thyself. No lifting up of thy eye-brows. Be nothing in thine own eyes--if thou seekest to please, thou art lost. Give place to all men; prefer them to thyself; assist them all." We see by these maxims that never Capuchin went so far as Epictetus. Some theologians, who had the misfortune to be proud, have pretended that humility cost nothing to Epictetus, who was a slave; and that he was humble by station, as a doctor or a Jesuit may be proud by station. But what will they say of Marcus Antoninus, who on the throne recommended humility? He places Alexander and his muleteer on the same line. He said that the vanity of pomp is only a bone thrown in the midst of dogs; that to do good, and to patiently hear himself calumniated, constitute the virtue of a king. Thus the master of the known world recommended humility; but propose humility to a musician, and see how he will laugh at Marcus Aurelius. Descartes, in his treatise on the "Passions of the Soul," places humility among their number, who--if we may personify this quality--did not expect to be regarded as a passion. He also distinguishes between virtuous and vicious humility.