THE GEOMETRICAL METHOD. 481 



thereon consequent, is the sole motive which can be relied on 

 for producing on the part of rulers a course of conduct in 

 accordance with the general interest. 



We have thus a fundamental theorem of political science, 

 consisting of three syllogisms, and depending chiefly on two 

 general premises, in each of which a certain effect is con- 

 sidered as determined only by one cause, not by a concur- 

 rence of causes. In the one, it is assumed that the actions 

 of average rulers are determined solely by self-interest ; in 

 the other, that the sense of identity of interest with the 

 governed, is produced and producible by no other cause than 

 responsibility. 



Neither of these propositions is by any means true ; the 

 last is extremely wide of the truth. 



It is not true that the actions even of average rulers are 

 wholly, or anything approaching to wholly, determined by 

 their personal interest, or even by their own opinion of their 

 personal interest. I do not speak of the influence of a sense 

 of duty, or feelings of philanthropy, motives never to be 

 mainly relied on, though (except in countries or during 

 periods of great moral debasement) they influence almost all 

 rulers in some degree, and some rulers in a very great degree. 

 But I insist only on what is true of all rulers, viz. that the 

 character and course of their actions is largely influenced 

 (independently of personal calculation) by the habitual senti- 

 ments and feelings, the general modes of thinking and acting, 

 which prevail throughout the community of which they are 

 members ; as well as by the feelings, habits, and modes of 

 thought which characterize the particular class in that com- 

 munity to which they themselves belong. And no one will 

 understand or be able to decypher their system of conduct, 

 who does not take all these things into account. They are 

 also much influenced by the maxims and traditions which have 

 descended to them from other rulers, their predecessors ; which 

 maxims and traditions have been known to retain an ascen- 

 dancy during long periods, even in opposition to the private 

 interests of the rulers for the time being. I put aside the 

 influence of other less general causes. Although, therefore, 

 VOL. n. 31 



