ii THE ROMAN PEOPLE 263 



Republic as a whole ; next that which affects other 

 individuals than the agent ; a crime committed between 

 two who are in accord is hardly a crime, while there is 

 no crime if the fault remains in the individual does not 

 proceed to bad example or to bad deed. Repentance is 

 to be approved by it, but not set upon the same level 

 as innocence ; l belief and opinion, but not placed so high 

 as deeds and work ; confession and admission of fault, 

 but not as correction and abstention. It shall not place 

 one who to no purpose mortifies the flesh on a level 

 with one who bridles his spirit, nor compare one who is 

 a useless solitary with another who is in profitable 

 intercourse 2 with his fellows, nor applaud so highly 

 one who, perhaps unnecessarily, subdues his desires, as 

 another, who refrains from evil -speaking and from 

 evil-doing ; not make so great a triumph over one who 

 has healed a base, useless cripple, worth little if any 

 more when whole than maimed, as over another who 

 has liberated his fatherland, or reformed a mind 

 diseased. 3 The Roman people was the type of the best- 

 governed state, " more bridled and restrained from the 

 vices of incivility and barbarity, more refined and 

 willing for generous undertakings than any other ; and 

 as their law and religion were, so were their customs 

 and deeds, so their honour and happiness." How 

 different from the pedants of the Church, who flourish 

 throughout Europe : while saluting with peace they 

 bring wherever they enter in the sword of division, and 

 the fire of dispersion ; taking son from father, neigh- 

 bour from neighbour, citizen from fatherland, and 

 causing other divorces more abhorrent and contrary to 

 all nature and law ; calling themselves ministers of one 



1 In contrast with St. Luke 15. 7. 2 Reading conversation for conservation. 



3 Lag. pp. 464, 465. 



