RevisingsomelettersIwrotetomyLord——，Ifoundinoneofthemagreatdealsaidconcerningthedutieswhichmenowetotheircountry，thosemenparticularlywholiveunderafreeconstitutionofgovernment；withastrongapplicationofthesegeneraldoctrinestothepresentstateofGreatBritain，andtothecharactersofthepresentactorsonthisstage。
Isawnoreasontoalter，noneeventosoften，anythingthatisthereadvanced。Onthecontrary，itcameintomymindtocarrytheseconsiderationsfurther，andtodelineate，forIpretendnottomakeaperfectdraught，thedutiesofakingtohiscountry；ofthosekingsparticularlywhoareappointedbythepeople，forIknowofnonewhoareanointedbyGodtoruleinlimitedmonarchies。AfterwhichIproposedtoapplythegeneraldoctrinesinthiscase，asstronglyandasdirectlyasintheother，tothepresentstateofGreatBritain。
Iamnotoneofthoseorientalslaves，whodeemitunlawfulpresumptiontolooktheirkingsintheface；neitheramIswayedbymyLordBacon’sauthoritytothinkthiscustomgoodandreasonableinitsmeaning，thoughitsavoursofbarbarisminitsinstitution：Rituquidembarbarus，sedsignificationebonus。Muchotherwise。Itseemstome，thatnosecretsaresoimportanttobeknown，noheartsdeservetobepriedintowithmorecuriosityandattention，thanthoseofprinces。Butmanythingshaveconcurred，besidesageandtemper，tosetmeatagreatdistancefromthepresentcourt。Farfrompryingintothehearts，Iscarceknowthefacesofourroyalfamily。Ishallthereforedeclineallapplicationtotheircharacters，andallmentionofanyinfluencewhichtheircharactersmayhaveontheirownfortune，oronthatofthisnation。
TheprinciplesIhavereasoneduponinmylettertomyLord，andthoseIshallreasonuponhere，arethesame。Theyarelaidinthesamesystemofhumannature。Theyaredrawnfromthatsourcefromwhenceallthedutiesofpublicandprivatemoralitymustbederived，ortheywillbeoftenfalsely，andalwaysprecariously，established。Uptothissourcetherearefewmenwhotakethepainstogo：and，openasitlies，therearenotmanywhocanfindtheirwaytoit。Bysuchasyou，Ishallbeunderstoodandapproved：
and，farfromfearingthecensure，ortheridicule，Ishouldreproachmyselfwiththeapplause，ofmenwhomeasuretheirinterestbytheirpassions，andtheirdutybytheexamplesofacorruptage；thatis，bytheexamplestheyaffordtooneanother。Such，Ithink，arethegreatestpartofthepresentgeneration；notofthevulgaralone，butofthosewhostandforemost，andareraisedhighestinournation。Suchwemayjustlyapprehendtoothatthenextwillbe；sincetheywhoaretocomposeitwillsetoutintotheworldunderadirectionthatmustinclinethemstronglytothesamecourseofself—interest，profligacy，andcorruption。
Theiniquityofalltheprincipalmeninanycommunity，ofkingsandministersespecially，doesnotconsistaloneinthecrimestheycommit，andintheimmediateconsequencesofthesecrimes：and，therefore，theirguiltisnottobemeasuredbythesealone。Suchmensinagainstposterity，aswellasagainsttheirownage；andwhentheconsequencesoftheircrimesareover，theconsequencesoftheirexampleremain。Ithink，andeverywiseandhonestmaningenerationsyetunbornwillthink，ifthehistoryofthisadministrationdescendstoblackenourannals，thatthegreatestiniquityoftheminister，onwhomthewholeiniquityoughttobecharged，sincehehasbeensolonginpossessionofthewholepower，istheconstantendeavourhehasemployedtocorruptthemoralsofmen。Isaythusgenerally，themorals；becausehe，whoabandonsorbetrayshiscountry，willabandonorbetrayhisfriend；andbecausehe，whoisprevailedontoactinParliamentwithoutanyregardtotruthorjustice，willeasilyprevailonhimselftoactinthesamemannereverywhereelse。Awiserandhonesteradministrationmayrelieveourtradefromthatoppression，andthepublicfromthatloadofdebt，underwhichitmustbesupposedthathehasindustriouslykeptit；becauseweareabletoprove，byfaircalculations，thathemighthaveprovidedeffectuallyforthepaymentofit，sincehecametotheheadoftheTreasury。Awiserandhonesteradministrationmaydrawusbacktoourformercreditandinfluenceabroad，fromthatstateofcontemptintowhichwearesunkamongallourneighbours。Butwillthemindsofmen，whichthisministerhasnarrowedtopersonalregardsalone，willtheirviews，whichhehasconfinedtothepresentmoment，asifnationsweremortallikethemenwhocomposethem，andBritainwastoperishwithherdegeneratechildren；willthese，Isay，besoeasilyorsosoonenlarged？Willtheirsentiments，whicharedebasedfromtheloveofliberty，fromzealforthehonourandprosperityoftheircountry，andfromadesireofhonestfame，toanabsoluteunconcernednessforallthese，toanabjectsubmission，andarapaciouseagernessafterwealth，thatmaysatetheiravarice，andexceedtheprofusionoftheirluxury；willthese，Isayagain，besoeasilyorsosoonelevated？Inaword，willtheBritishspirit，thatspiritwhichhaspreservedlibertyhithertoinonecorneroftheworldatleast，besoeasilyorsosoonreinfusedintotheBritishnation？
Ithinknot。Wehavebeenlongcomingtothispointofdepravation：andtheprogressfromconfirmedhabitsofevilismuchmoreslowthantheprogresstothem。Virtueisnotplacedonaruggedmountainofdifficultanddangerousaccess，astheywhowouldexcusetheindolenceoftheirtemper，ortheperversenessoftheirwill，desiretohaveitbelieved；butsheisseated，however，onaneminence。Wemaygouptoherwithease，butwemustgoupgradually，accordingtothenaturalprogressionofreason，whoistoleadtheway，andtoguideoursteps。Ontheotherhand，ifwefallfromthence，wearesuretobehurrieddownthehillwithablindimpetuosity，accordingtothenaturalviolenceofthoseappetitesandpassionsthatcausedourfallatfirst，andurgeitonthefaster，thefurthertheyareremovedfromthecontrolthatbeforerestrainedthem。
Toperform，therefore，sogreatawork，astoreinfusethespiritofliberty，toreformthemorals，andtoraisethesentimentsofapeople，muchtimeisrequired；andaworkwhichrequiressomuchtime，may，tooprobably，benevercompleted；consideringhowunsteadilyandunsystematicallyeventhebestofmenareaptoftentoproceed，andhowthisreformationistobecarriedforward，inoppositiontopublicfashion，andprivateinclination，totheauthorityofthemeninpower，andtothesecretbentofmanyofthosewhoareoutofpower。Letusnotflatterourselves：Ididsotoolong。Itismoretobewishedthantobehoped，thatthecontagionshouldspreadnofurtherthanthatleprousrace，whocarryontheirskins，exposedtopublicsight，thescabsandblotchesoftheirdistemper。Theministerpreachescorruptionaloudandconstantly，likeanimpudentmissionaryofvice：andsometherearewhonotonlyinsinuate，butteachthesameoccasionally。Isay，some；
becauseIamasfarfromthinking，thatallthosewhojoinwithhim，asthatanyofthosewhoopposehim，waitonlytobemoreauthorized，thattheymaypropagateitwithgreatersuccess，andapplyittotheirownuse，intheirturn。
Itseemstome，uponthewholematter，thattosaveorredeemanation，undersuchcircumstances，fromperdition，nothinglessisnecessarythansomegreat，someextraordinaryconjunctureofillfortune，orofgood，whichmaypurge，yetsoasbyfire。Distressfromabroad，bankruptcyathome，andothercircumstancesoflikenatureandtendency，maybegetuniversalconfusion。
Outofconfusionordermayarise：butitmaybetheorderofawickedtyranny，insteadoftheorderofajustmonarchy。Eithermayhappen：andsuchanalternative，atthedispositionoffortune，issufficienttomakeaStoictremble!Wemaybesaved，indeed，bymeansofaverydifferentkind；butthesemeanswillnotofferthemselves，thiswayofsalvationwillnotbeopenedtous，withouttheconcurrence，andtheinfluence，ofaPatriotKing，themostuncommonofallphenomenainthephysicalormoralworld。
Nothingcansosurelyandsoeffectuallyrestorethevirtueandpublicspiritessentialtothepreservationoflibertyandnationalprosperity，asthereignofsuchaprince。
Wearewillingtoindulgethispleasingexpectation，andthereisnothingwedesiremoreardentlythantobeabletoholdofaBritishprince，withoutflattery，thesamelanguagethatwasheldofaRomanemperor，withagreatdeal，Niloriturumalias，nilortumtalefatentes。
Butletusnotneglect，onourpart，suchmeansasareinourpower，tokeepthecauseoftruth，ofreason，ofvirtue，andofliberty，alive。Iftheblessingbewithheldfromus，letusdeserve，atleast，thatitshouldbegrantedtous。Ifheaven，inmercy，bestowsitonus，letuspreparetoreceiveit，toimproveit，andtoco—operatewithit。
IspeakasifIcouldtakemyshareinthesegloriousefforts。NeithershallIrecallmywords。StrippedoftherightsofaBritishsubject，ofallexceptthemeanestofthem，thatofinheriting，IrememberthatIamaBritonstill。IapplytomyselfwhatIhavereadinSeneca：officia，sicivisamiserit，hominisexerceat。Ihaverenouncedtheworld，notinshow，butinreality，andmorebymywayofthinking，thanbymywayofliving，asretiredasthatmayseem。ButIhavenotrenouncedmycountry，normyfriends：andbymyfriendsImeanallthose，andthosealone，whoaresuchtotheircountry，bywhatevernametheyhavebeen，ormaybestilldistinguished；
andthoughinthatnumberthereshouldbemen，ofwhosepastingratitude，injustice，ormalice，Imightcomplain，onmyownaccount，withthegreatestreason。TheseIwillneverrenounce。Intheirprosperity，theyshallneverhearofme：intheirdistress，always。Inthatretreat，whereintheremainderofmydaysshallbespent，Imaybeofsomeusetothem；since，evenfromthence，Imayadvise，exhort，andwarnthem。Necenimissolusreipublicaeprodest，quicandidatosextrahit，ettueturreos，etdepace，belloquecenset；
sedquijuventutemexhortatur，qui，intantabonorumpraeceptoruminopia，virtuteinstruitanimos；。quiadpecuniamluxuriamquecursuruentes，prensatacretrahit，et，sinihilaliud，certemoratur；inprivatopublicumnegotiumagit。
TheIdeaofaPatriotKingMyintentionisnottointroducewhatIhavetosayconcerningthedutiesofkings，byanyniceinquiryintotheoriginaloftheirinstitution。Whatistobeknownofitwillappearplainlyenough，tosuchasareableandcansparetimetotraceit，inthebrokentraditionswhicharecomedowntousofafewnations。Butthosewhoarenotabletotraceitthere，maytracesomethingbetter，andmoreworthytobeknown，intheirownthoughts：
Imeanwhatthisinstitutionoughttohavebeen，wheneveritbegan，accordingtotheruleofreason，foundedinthecommonrights，andinterests，ofmankind。
Onthisheaditisquitenecessarytomakesomereflections，thatwill，likeangularstoneslaidonarock，supportthelittlefabric，themodelhoweverofagreatbuilding，thatIproposetoraise。
Soplainamattercouldneverhavebeenrenderedintricateandvoluminous，haditnotbeenforlawlessambition，extravagantvanity，andthedetestablespiritoftyranny，abettedbytheprivateinterestsofartfulmen，byadulationandsuperstition，twovicestowhichthatstaringtimidcreaturemanisexcessivelyprone；ifauthorityhadnotimposedonsuchasdidnotpretendtoreason；
andifsuchasdidattempttoreasonhadnotbeencaughtinthecommonsnaresofsophism，andbewilderedinthelabyrinthsofdisputation。Inthiscase，therefore，asinallthoseofgreatconcernment，theshortestandthesurestmethodofarrivingatrealknowledgeistounlearnthelessonswehavebeentaught，toremounttofirstprinciples，andtakenobody’swordaboutthem；
foritisaboutthemthatalmostallthejugglingandlegerdemain，employedbymenwhosetradeitistodeceive，aresettowork。
Nowhe，whodoessointhiscase，willdiscoversoon，thatthenotionsconcerningthedivineinstitutionandrightofkings，aswellastheabsolutepowerbelongingtotheiroffice，havenofoundationinfactorreason，buthaverisenfromanoldalliancebetweenecclesiasticalandcivilpolicy。
Thecharactersofkingandpriesthavebeensometimesblendedtogether：andwhentheyhavebeendivided，askingshavefoundthegreateffectswroughtingovernmentbytheempirewhichpriestsobtainovertheconsciencesofmankind，sopriestshavebeentaughtbyexperience，thatthebestmethodtopreservetheirownrank，dignity，wealth，andpower，allraiseduponasupposeddivineright，istocommunicatethesamepretensiontokings，and，byafallacycommontoboth，imposetheirusurpationsonasillyworld。Thistheyhavedone：and，inthestate，asintheChurch，thesepretensionstoadivinerighthavebeengenerallycarriedhighestbythose，whohavehadtheleastpretensiontothedivinefavour。
Itisworthwhiletoobserve，onwhatprinciplesomemenwereadvancedtoagreatpre—eminenceoverothers，intheearlyagesofthosenationsthatarealittleknowntous：Ispeaknotofsuchasraisedthemselvesbyconquest，butofsuchaswereraisedbycommonconsent。Nowyouwillfind，inalltheseproceedings，anentireuniformityofprinciple。Theauthorsofsuchinventions，aswereofgeneralusetothewellbeingofmankind，werenotonlyreverencedandobeyedduringtheirlives，butworshippedaftertheirdeaths：theybecameprincipalgods，Diimajorumgentium。Thefoundersofcommonwealths，thelawgivers，andtheheroesofparticularstates，becamegodsofasecondclass，Diiminorumgentium。Allpre—eminencewasgiveninheaven，aswellasonearth，inproportiontothebenefitsthatmenreceived。Majestywasthefirst，anddivinitythesecond，reward。Bothwereearnedbyservicesdonetomankind，whomitwaseasytolead，inthosedaysofsimplicityandsuperstition，fromadmirationandgratitude，toadorationandexpectation。
Whenadvantagehadbeentaken，bysomeparticularmen，ofthesedispositionsinthegenerality，andreligionandgovernmentwerebecometwotradesormysteries，newmeansofattainingtothispre—eminenceweresoondevised，andnewandevencontrarymotivesworkedthesameeffect。Merithadgivenrank；butrankwassoonkept，and，whichismorepreposterous，obtained，too，withoutmerit。Menwerethenmadekingsforreasonsaslittlerelativetogoodgovernment，astheneighingofthehorseofthesonofHystaspes。
Butthemostprevalent，andthegeneralmotivewasproximityofbloodtothelast，nottothebest，king。NobilityinChinamountsupwards：andhe，whohasitconferreduponhim，ennobleshisancestors，nothisposterity。
Awiseinstitution!andespeciallyamongapeopleinwhosemindsagreatvenerationfortheirforefathershasbeenalwayscarefullymaintained。ButinChina，aswellasinmostothercountries，royaltyhasdescended，andkingdomshavebeenreckonedthepatrimoniesofparticularfamilies。
IhavereadinoneofthehistoriansofthelatterRomanempire，historians，bytheway，thatIwillnotadviseotherstomisspendtheirtimeinreading，thatSapores，thefamouskingofPersiaagainstwhomJulianmadetheexpeditionwhereinhelosthislife，wascrownedinhismother’swomb。Hisfatherleftherwithchild：themagideclaredthatthechildwouldbeamale；whereupontheroyalensignswerebroughtforth，theywereplacedonhermajesty’sbelly，andtheprincesandthesatrapsprostraterecognizedtheembryo—monarch。
Buttotakeamoreknownexample，outofmultitudesthatpresentthemselves，Domitian，theworst，andTrajan，thebestofprinces，werepromotedtotheempirebythesametitle。DomitianwasthesonofFlavius，andthebrother，thoughpossiblythepoisonertoo，ofTitusVespasian：TrajanwastheadoptedsonofNerva。Hereditaryrightservedthepurposeofone，aswellasoftheother：andifTrajanwastranslatedtoaplaceamongthegods，thiswasnogreateradistinctionthansomeoftheworstofhispredecessorsandhissuccessorsobtained，forreasonsgenerallyasgoodasthatwhichSenecaputsintothemouthofDiespiterintheApocolocyntosisofClaudius：cumsitrepublicaessealiquem，quicumRomulopossiterventiarapavorare。Tosaythetruth，itwouldhavebeenawisermeasuretohavemadetheseroyalpersonsgodsatonce；asgodstheywouldhavedoneneithergoodnorhurt；butasemperors，intheirwaytodivinity，theyactedlikedevils。
Ifmyreadersarereadybythistimetothinkmeantimonarchical，andinparticularanenemytothesuccessionofkingsbyhereditaryright，I
hopetobesoonrestoredtotheirgoodopinion。Iesteemmonarchyaboveanyotherformofgovernment，andhereditarymonarchyaboveelective。Ireverencekings，theiroffice，theirrights，theirpersons：anditwillneverbeowingtotheprinciplesIamgoingtoestablish，becausethecharacterandgovernmentofaPatriotKingcanbeestablishedonnoother，iftheirofficeandtheirrightarenotalwayshelddivine，andtheirpersonsalwayssacred。
Now，wearesubject，bytheconstitutionofhumannature，andthereforebythewilloftheauthorofthisandeveryothernature，totwolaws。OnegivenimmediatelytoallmenbyGod，thesametoall，andobligatoryalikeonall。Theothergiventomanbyman，andthereforenotthesametoall，norobligatoryalikeonall：foundedindeedonthesameprinciples，butvariedbydifferentapplicationsofthemtotimes，tocharacters，andtoanumber，whichmaybereckonedinfinite，ofothercircumstances。Bythefirst，Imeantheuniversallawofreason；andbythesecond，theparticularlaw，orconstitutionoflaws，bywhicheverydistinctcommunityhaschosentobegoverned。
Theobligationofsubmissiontoboth，isdiscoverablebysoclearandsosimpleanuseofourintellectualfaculties，thatitmaybesaidproperlyenoughtoberevealedtousbyGod：andthoughboththeselawscannotbesaidproperlytobegivenbyhim，yetourobligationtosubmittothecivillawisaprincipalparagraphinthenaturallaw，whichhehasmostmanifestlygivenus。Intruthwecannomoredoubtoftheobligationsofboththeselaws，thanoftheexistenceofthelawgiver。Assupremelordoverallhisworks，hisgeneralprovidenceregardsimmediatelythegreatcommonwealthofmankind；butthen，assupremelordlikewise，hisauthoritygivesasanctiontotheparticularbodiesoflawwhicharemadeunderit。Thelawofnatureisthelawofallhissubjects：theconstitutionsofparticulargovernmentsareliketheby—lawsofcities，ortheappropriatedcustomsofprovinces。
Itfollows，therefore，thathewhobreaksthelawsofhiscountryresiststheordinanceofGod，thatis，thelawofhisnature。Godhasinstitutedneithermonarchy，noraristocracy，nordemocracy，normixedgovernment：butthoughGodhasinstitutednoparticularformofgovernmentamongmen，yetbythegenerallawsofhiskingdomheexactsourobediencetothelawsofthosecommunities，towhicheachofusisattachedbybirth，ortowhichwemaybeattachedbyasubsequentandlawfulengagement。
Fromsuchplain，unrefined，andtherefore，Isuppose，truereasoning，thejustauthorityofkingsandthedueobedienceofsubjects，maybededucedwiththeutmostcertainty。Andsurelyitisfarbetterforkingsthemselvestohavetheirauthoritythusfoundedonprinciplesincontestable，andonfairdeductionsfromthem，thanonthechimerasofmadmen，or，whathasbeenmorecommon，thesophismsofknaves。Ahumanright，thatcannotbecontroverted，ispreferable，surely，toapretendeddivineright，whicheverymanmustbelieveimplicitly，asfewwilldo，ornotbelieveatall。
Buttheprincipleswehavelaiddowndonotstophere。Adivinerightinkingsistobededucedevidentlyfromthem：adivinerighttogovernwell，andconformablytotheconstitutionattheheadofwhichtheyareplaced。
Adivinerighttogovernill，isanabsurditytoassertit，isblasphemy。
Apeoplemaychoose，orhereditarysuccessionmayraise，abadprincetothethrone；butagoodkingalonecanderivehisrighttogovernfromGod。
Thereasonisplain：goodgovernmentalonecanbeinthedivineintention。
Godhasmadeustodesirehappiness；hehasmadeourhappinessdependentonsociety；andthehappinessofsocietydependentongoodorbadgovernment。
Hisintention，therefore，was，thatgovernmentshouldbegood。
Thisisessentialtohiswisdom；forwisdomconsists，surely，inproportioningmeanstoends：thereforeitcannotbesaidwithoutabsurdimpiety，thatheconfersarighttoopposehisintention。
Theofficeofkingsis，then，ofrightdivine，andtheirpersonsaretobereputedsacred。Asmen，theyhavenosuchright，nosuchsacrednessbelongingtothem：askings，theyhaveboth，unlesstheyforfeitthem。Reverenceforgovernmentobligestoreverencegovernors，who，forthesakeofit，areraisedabovethelevelofothermen：butreverenceforgovernors，independentlyofgovernment，anyfurtherthanreverencewouldbeduetotheirvirtuesiftheywereprivatemen，ispreposterous，andrepugnanttocommonsense。Thespringfromwhichthislegalreverence，forsoImaycallit，arises，isnational，notpersonal。Aswellmightwesaythatashipisbuilt，andloaded，andmanned，forthesakeofanyparticularpilot，insteadofacknowledgingthatthepilotismadeforthesakeoftheship，herlading，andhercrew，whoarealwaystheownersinthepoliticalvessel；astosaythatkingdomswereinstitutedforkings，notkingsforkingdoms。Inshort，andtocarryourallusionhigher，majestyisnotaninherent，butareflectedlight。
Allthisisastrueofelective，asitisofhereditarymonarchs，thoughthescribblersfortyranny，underthenameofmonarchy，wouldhaveusbelievethatthereissomethingmoreaugust，andmoresacredinonethantheother。
Theyaresacredalike，andthisattributeistobeascribedornotascribed，tothem，astheyanswer，ordonotanswer，theendsoftheirinstitution。
Butthereisanothercomparisontobemade，inwhichagreatandmostimportantdissimilitudewillbefoundbetweenhereditaryandelectivemonarchy。Nothingcanbemoreabsurd，inpurespeculation，thananhereditaryrightinanymortaltogovernothermen：andyet，inpractice，nothingcanbemoreabsurdthantohaveakingtochooseateveryvacancyofathrone。Wedrawatalotteryindeedinonecase，wheretherearemanychancestolose，andfewtogain。Buthavewemuchmoreadvantageofthiskindintheother？Ithinknot。Uponthese，anduponmostoccasions，themultitudewoulddoatleastaswelltotrusttochanceaschoice，andtotheirfortuneastotheirjudgment。
Butinanotherrespect，theadvantageisentirelyonthesideofhereditarysuccession；for，inelectivemonarchies，theseelections，whetherwellorillmade，areoftenattendedwithsuchnationalcalamities，thateventhebestreignscannotmakeamendsforthem：whereas，inhereditarymonarchy，whetheragoodorabadprincesucceeds，thesecalamitiesareavoided。Thereisonesourceofevilthelessopen：andonesourceofevilthelessinhumanaffairs，wheretherearesomany，issufficienttodecide。Wemaylamenttheimperfectionsofourhumanstate，whichissuch，thatincasesoftheutmostimportancetotheorderandgoodgovernmentofsociety，andbyconsequencetothehappinessofourkind，wearereduced，bytheveryconstitutionofournature，tohavenoparttotakethatourreasoncanapproveabsolutely。
Butthoughwelamentit，wemustsubmittoit。Wemusttellourselvesonceforall，thatperfectschemesarenotadaptedtoourimperfectstate；thatStoicalmoralsandPlatonicpoliticsarenothingbetterthanamusementsforthosewhohavehadlittleexperienceintheaffairsoftheworld，andwhohavemuchleisure，verbaotiosorumsenumadimperitosjuvenes，whichwasthecensure，andajustonetoo，thatDionysiuspassedonsomeofthedoctrinesofthefatheroftheAcademy。Intruth，allthathumanprudencecando，istofurnishexpedients，andtocompound，asitwere，withgeneralviceandfolly；employingreasontoactevenagainstherownprinciples，andteachingus，ifImaysaysoinsanirecumratione，whichappearsonmanyoccasionsnottobetheparadoxithasbeenthought。
Toconcludethisheadtherefore：asIthinkalimitedmonarchythebestofgovernments，soIthinkanhereditarymonarchythebestofmonarchies。
Isaidalimitedmonarchy；foranunlimitedmonarchy，whereinarbitrarywill，whichisintruthnorule，ishoweverthesolerule，orstandsinsteadofallruleofgovernment，issogreatanabsurdity，bothinreasoninformedoruninformedbyexperience，thatitseemsagovernmentfitterforsavagesthanforcivilizedpeople。
ButIthinkitpropertoexplainalittlemorewhatImean，whenIsayalimitedmonarchy，thatImayleavenothinguntouchedwhichoughttobetakenintoconsiderationbyus，whenweattempttofixourideasofaPatriotKing。
Amongmanyreasonswhichdeterminemetoprefermonarchytoeveryformofgovernment，thisisaprincipalone。Whenmonarchyistheessentialform，itmaybemoreeasilyandmoreusefullytemperedwitharistocracy，ordemocracy，orboth，thaneitherofthem，whentheyaretheessentialforms，canbetemperedwithmonarchy。Itseemstome，thattheintroductionofarealpermanentmonarchicalpower，oranythingmorethanthepageantryofit，intoeitherofthese，mustdestroythemandextinguishthem，asagreaterlightextinguishesaless。Whereasitmayeasilybeshown，andthetrueformofourgovernmentwilldemonstrate，withoutseekinganyotherexample，thatveryconsiderablearistocraticalanddemocraticalpowersmaybegrantedonamonarchicalstock，withoutdiminishingthelustre，orrestrainingthepowerandauthorityoftheprince，enoughtoalterinanydegreetheessentialform。
Agreatdifferenceismadeinnature，andthereforethedistinctionshouldbealwayspreservedinournotions，betweentwothingsthatweareapttoconfoundinspeculation，astheyhavebeenconfoundedinpractice，legislativeandmonarchicalpower。Theremustbeanabsolute，unlimited，anduncontrollablepowerlodgedsomewhereineverygovernment；buttoconstitutemonarchy，orthegovernmentofasingleperson，itisnotnecessarythatthispowershouldbelodgedinthemonarchalone。Itisnomorenecessarythatheshouldexclusivelyandindependentlyestablishtheruleofhisgovernment，thanitisthatheshouldgovernwithoutanyruleatall：andthissurelywillbethoughtreasonablebynoman。
IwouldnotsayGodgovernsbyarulethatweknow，ormayknow，aswellashe，anduponourknowledgeofwhichheappealstomenforthejusticeofhisproceedingstowardsthem；whichafamousdivinehasimpiouslyadvanced，inapretendeddemonstrationofhisbeingandattributes。Godforbid!ButthisImaysay，thatGoddoesalwaysthatwhichisfittesttobedone，andthatthisfitness，whereofneitherthatpresumptuousdogmatistwas，noranycreatedbeingis，acompetentjudge，resultsfromthevariousnatures，andmorevariousrelationsofthings：sothat，ascreatorofallsystemsbywhichthesenaturesandrelationsareconstituted，heprescribedtohimselftherule，whichhefollowsasgovernorofeverysystemofbeing。Inshort，withreverencebeitspoken，Godisamonarch，yetnotanarbitrarybutalimitedmonarch，limitedbytherulewhichinfinitewisdomprescribedtoinfinitepower。Iknowwellenoughtheimproprietyoftheseexpressions；but，whenourideasareinadequate，ourexpressionsmustneedsbeimproper。Suchconceptions，however，asweareabletoformoftheseattributes，andoftheexerciseoftheminthegovernmentoftheuniverse，mayservetoshowwhatIhaveproducedthemtoshow。Ifgoverningwithoutanyrule，andbyarbitrarywill，benotessentialtoourideaofthemonarchyoftheSupremeBeing，itisplainlyridiculoustosupposethemnecessarilyincludedintheideaofahumanmonarchy：andthoughGod，inhiseternalideas，forweareabletoconceivenoothermannerofknowing，hasprescribedtohimselfthatrulebywhichhegovernstheuniversehecreated，itwillbejustasridiculoustoaffirm，thattheideaofhumanmonarchycannotbepreserved，ifkingsareobligedtogovernaccordingtoaruleestablishedbythewisdomofastate，thatwasastatebeforetheywerekings，andbytheconsentofapeoplethattheydidnotmostcertainlycreate；especiallywhenthewholeexecutivepowerisexclusivelyintheirhands，andthelegislativepowercannotbeexercisedwithouttheirconcurrence。
Therearelimitationsindeedthatwoulddestroytheessentialformofmonarchy；or，inotherwords，amonarchicalconstitutionmaybechanged，underpretenceoflimitingthemonarch。Thishappenedamongusinthelastcentury，whenthevilestusurpation，andthemostinfamoustyranny，wereestablishedoverournation，bysomeoftheworstandsomeofthemeanestmeninit。Iwillnotsaythattheessentialformofmonarchyshouldbepreservedthoughthepreservationofitweretocausethelossofliberty。Salusreipublicaesupremalexestoisafundamentallaw；and，sureIam，thesafetyofacommonwealthisillprovidedfor，ifthelibertybegivenup。ButthisIpresumetosay，andcandemonstrate，thatallthelimitationsnecessarytopreserveliberty，aslongasthespiritofitsubsists，andlongerthanthatnolimitationsofmonarchy，noranyotherformofgovernment，canpreserveit，arecompatiblewithmonarchy。Ithinkonthesesubjects，neitherastheTories，norastheWhigshavethought；atleast，Iendeavourtoavoidtheexcessesofboth。
IneitherdressupkingslikesomanyburlesqueJupiters，weighingthefortunesofmankindinthescalesoffate，anddartingthunderboltsattheheadsofrebelliousgiants；nordoIstripthemnaked，asitwere，andleavethematmostafewtatteredragstoclothetheirmajesty，butsuchascanservereallyaslittleforuseasforornament。Myaimistofixthisprinciple：
thatlimitationsonacrownoughttobecarriedasfarasitisnecessarytosecurethelibertiesofapeople；andthatallsuchlimitationsmaysubsist，withoutweakeningorendangeringmonarchy。
Ishallbetold，perhaps，forIhavehearditsaidbymany，thatthispointisimaginary；andthatlimitations，sufficienttoprocuregoodgovernmentandtosecurelibertyunderabadprince，cannotbemade，unlesstheyaresuchaswilldeprivethesubjectsofmanybenefitsinthereignofagoodprince，cloghisadministration，maintainanunjustjealousybetweenhimandhispeople，andoccasionadefectofpower，necessarytopreservethepublictranquillity，andtopromotethenationalprosperity。Ifthiswastrue，herewouldbeamuchmoremelancholyinstanceoftheimperfectionofournature，andoftheinefficacyofourreasontosupplythisimperfection，thantheformer。Intheformer，reasonpromptedbyexperienceavoidsacertainevileffectually，andisabletoprovide，insomemeasure，againstthecontingentevilsthatmayarisefromtheexpedientitself。
Butinthelatter，ifwhatisthereadvancedwastrue，theseprovisionsagainstcontingentevilswould，insomecases，betheoccasionsofmuchcertainevil，andofpositivegoodinnone；underagoodprincetheywouldrendertheadministrationdefective，andunderabadonetherewouldbenogovernmentatall。Butthetruthiswidelydifferentfromthisrepresentation。Thelimitationsnecessarytopreservelibertyundermonarchywillrestraineffectuallyabadprince，withoutbeingeverfeltasshacklesbyagoodone。Ourconstitutionisbrought，oralmostbrought，tosuchapoint，apointofperfectionIthinkit，thatnoking，whoisnot，inthetruemeaningoftheword，apatriot，cangovernBritainwithease，security，honour，dignity，orindeedwithsufficientpowerandstrength。Butyetaking，whoisapatriotmaygovernwithalltheformer；and，besidesthem，withpowerasextendedasthemostabsolutemonarchcanboast，andapower，too，farmoreagreeableintheenjoymentaswellasmoreeffectualintheoperation。
Toattainthesegreatandnobleends，thepatriotismmustbereal，andnotinshowalone。Itissomethingtodesiretoappearapatriot：andthedesireofhavingfameisasteptowardsdeservingit，becauseitisamotivethemoretodeserveit。Ifitbetrue，asTacitussays，contemptufamaecontemnivirtutem，thatacontemptofagoodname，oranindifferenceaboutit，begetsoraccompaniesalwaysacontemptofvirtue；thecontrarywillbetrue：andtheyarecertainlybothtrue。Butthismotivealoneisnotsufficient。Toconstituteapatriot，whetherkingorsubject，theremustbesomethingmoresubstantialthanadesireoffame，inthecomposition；andiftherebenot，thisdesireoffamewillneverriseabovethatsentimentwhichmaybecomparedtothecoquetryofwomen：afondnessoftransientapplause，whichiscourtedbyvanity，givenbyflattery，andspendsitselfinshow，likethequalitieswhichacquireit。Patriotismmustbefoundedingreatprinciples，andsupportedbygreatvirtues。ThechiefoftheseprinciplesIhaveendeavouredtotrace；
andIwillnotscrupletoassert，thatamancanbeagoodkinguponnoother。
Hemay，withoutthemandbycomplexion，beunambitious，generous，good—natured；
but，withoutthem，theexerciseevenofthesevirtueswillbeoftenilldirected：
and，withprinciplesofanothersort，hewillbedrawneasily，notwithstandingthesevirtues，fromallthepurposesofhisinstitution。
Imentiontheseoppositeprinciplestherather，because，insteadofwonderingthatsomanykings，unfitandunworthytobetrustedwiththegovernmentofmankind，appearintheworld，Ihavebeentemptedtowonderthatthereareanytolerable；whenIhaveconsideredtheflatterythatenvironsthemmostcommonlyfromthecradle，andthetendencyofallthosefalsenotionsthatareinstilledintothembyprecept，andbyexample，bythehabitsofcourts，andbytheinterestedselfishviewsofcourtiers。Theyarebredtoesteemthemselvesofadistinctandsuperiorspeciesamongmen，asmenareamonganimals。
LouistheFourteenthwasastronginstanceoftheeffectofthiseducation，whichtrainsupkingstobetyrants，withoutknowingthattheyareso。Thatoppressionunderwhichhekepthispeople，duringthewholecourseofalongreign，mightproceed，insomedegree，fromthenaturalhaughtinessofhistemper；butitproceeded，inagreaterdegree，fromtheprinciplesandhabitsofhiseducation。Bythishehadbeenbroughttolookonhiskingdomasapatrimonythatdescendedtohimfromhisancestors，andthatwastobeconsideredinnootherlight：sothatwhenaveryconsiderablemanhaddiscoursedtohimatlargeofthemiserablecondition，towhichhispeoplewasreduced，andhadfrequentlyusedthisword，’l’é；tat’，thoughtheKingapprovedthesubstanceofallhehadsaid，yethewasshockedatthefrequentrepetitionofthisword，andcomplainedofitasofakindofindecencytohimself。
Thiswillnotappearsostrangetooursecondasitmayveryjustlytoourfirstreflections；forwhatwonderisit，thatprincesareeasilybetrayedintoanerrorthattakesitsriseinthegeneralimperfectionofournature，inourpride，ourvanity，andourpresumption？Thebastardchildren，butthechildrenstill，ofselflove；aspuriousbrood，butoftenafavouritebrood，thatgovernsthewholefamily。Asmenareapttomakethemselvesthemeasureofallbeing，sotheymakethemselvesthefinalcauseofallcreation。
Thusthereputedorthodoxphilosophersinallageshavetaught，thattheworldwasmadeforman，theearthforhimtoinhabit，andalltheluminousbodies，intheimmenseexpansearoundus，forhimtogazeat。Kingsdonomore，no，notsomuch，whentheyimaginethemselvesthefinalcauseforwhichsocietieswereformed，andgovernmentsinstituted。
Thiscapitalerror，inwhichalmosteveryprinceisconfirmedbyhiseducation，hassogreatextentandsogeneralinfluence，thatarighttodoeveryiniquitousthingingovernmentmaybederivedfromit。But，asifthiswasnotenough，thecharactersofprincesarespoiledmanymorewaysbytheireducation。
Ishallnotdescendintoadetailofsuchparticulars，norpresumesomuchastohintwhatregulationsmightbemadeabouttheeducationofprinces，norwhatpartourParliamentsmighttakeoccasionallyinthismomentousaffair，lestIshouldappeartoorefining，ortoopresumptuous，inmyspeculations。
ButImayassertingeneral，thattheindifferenceofmankinduponthishead，especiallyinagovernmentconstitutedlikeours，ismonstrous。
Imayalsotakenoticeofanothercauseofthemistakesofprinces，I
meanthegeneralconductofthosewhoarebroughtneartotheirpersons。
Suchmen，letmesay，haveaparticulardutyarisingfromthisverysituation；
adutycommontothemall，becauseitarisesnotfromtheirstations，whicharedifferent，butfromtheirsituation，whichisthesame。Toenumeratethevariousapplicationsofthisdutywouldbetoominuteandtedious；butthismaysuffice，thatallsuchmenshouldbearconstantlyinmind，thatthemastertheyserveistobethekingoftheircountry：thattheirattachmenttohim，therefore，isnottobelikethatofotherservantstoothermasters，forhissakealone，orforhissakeandtheirown，butforthesakeoftheircountrylikewise。
CrateruslovestheKing，butHephaestionlovesAlexander，wasasayingofthelastthathasbeenoftenquoted，butnotcensuredasitoughttobe。
AlexandergavethepreferencetotheattachmentofHephaestion；butthispreferencewasdueundoubtedlytothatofCraterus。Attachmenttoaprivatepersonmustcomprehendagreatconcernforhischaracterandhisinterests：
butattachmenttoonewhois，ormaybeaking，muchmore；becausethecharacterofthelatterismoreimportanttohimselfandothers；andbecausehisinterestsarevastlymorecomplicatedwiththoseofhiscountry，andinsomesortwiththoseofmankind。Alexanderhimselfseemed，upononeoccasion，tomakethedistinctionthatshouldbealwaysmadebetweenourattachmenttoaprince，andtoanyprivateperson。ItwaswhenParmenioadvisedhimtoacceptthetermsofpeacewhichDariusoffered：theyweregreat，hethoughtthemso；
buthethought，nomatterformypurposewhetherjustlyornot，thatitwouldbeunbecominghimtoacceptthem；thereforeherejectedthem，butacknowledged，that’hewouldhavedoneashewasadvisedtodo，ifhehadbeenParmenio。’
Astopersonswhoarenotaboutaprinceinthesituationherespokenof，theycandolittlemorethanproportiontheirapplause，andthedemonstrationsoftheirconfidenceandaffection，tothebenefitstheyactuallyreceivefromtheprinceonthethrone，ortothejustexpectationsthatasuccessorgivesthem。ItisofthelatterIproposetospeakhereparticularly。Ifhegivesthemthoseofagoodreign，wemayassureourselvesthattheywillcarry，andinthiscasetheyoughttocarrythatapplause，andthosedemonstrationsoftheirconfidenceandaffection，ashighassuchaprincehimselfcandesire。
Thustheprinceandthepeople，take，ineffect，asortofengagementwithoneanother：theprincetogovernwell，andthepeopletohonourandobeyhim。Ifhegivesthemexpectationsofabadreign，theyhavethisobligationtohimatleast，thatheputsthemearlyontheirguard；andanobligation，andanadvantageitwillbe，iftheyprepareforhisaccessionasforagreatandinevitableevil；andiftheyguardoneveryoccasionagainsttheillusetheyforeseethathewillmakeofmoneyandpower。Aboveall，theyshouldnotsufferthemselvestobecaughtinthecommonsnare，whichislaidunderspeciouspretencesof’gainingsuchaprince，andofkeepinghimbypubliccompliancesoutofbadhands。’Thatargumenthasbeenpressedmorethanonce，hasprevailed，andhasbeenfruitfulofmostperniciousconsequences。Noneindeedcanbemoreabsurd。Itisnotunlikethereasoningofthosesavageswhoworshipthedevil，notbecausetheylovehimorhonourhim，orexpectanygoodfromhim，butthathemaydothemnohurt。Nayitismoreabsurd；
forthesavagessupposethatthedevilhas，independentlyofthem，thepowertohurtthem：whereastheothersputmorepowerintothehandsofaprince，becausehehasalreadysomepowertohurtthem；andtrusttothejusticeandgratitudeofone，whowantssense，virtue，orboth，ratherthanincreaseandfortifythebarriersagainsthisfollyandhisvices。
Butthetruthis，thatmen，whoreasonandactinthismanner，eithermean，orelseareledbysuchasmean，nothingmorethantomakeaprivatecourtatthepublicexpense；whochoosetobetheinstrumentsofabadkingratherthantobeoutofpower；andwhoareoftensowicked，thattheywouldprefersuchaservicetothatofthebestofkings。Infine，thesereasons，andeveryotherreasonforprovidingagainstabadreigninprospect，acquireanewforce，whenoneweakorwickedprinceis，intheorderofsuccession，tofollowanotherofthesamecharacter。Suchprovisionsindeedarehardesttobeobtainedwhentheyarethemostnecessary’。thatis，whenthespiritoflibertybeginstoflaginafreepeople，andwhentheybecomedisposed，byhabitsthathavegrowninsensiblyuponthem，toabasesubmission。Buttheyarenecessarytoo，evenwhentheyareeasiesttobeobtained；thatis，whenthespiritoflibertyisinfullstrength，andadisposition，toopposeallinstancesofmaladministration，andtoresistallattemptsonliberty，isuniversal。Inbothcases，theendeavoursofeverymanwholoveshiscountrywillbeemployedwithincessantcareandconstancytoobtainthem，thatgoodgovernmentandlibertymaybethebetterpreservedandsecured；butinthelattercaseforthisfurtherreasonalso，thatthepreservationandsecurityofthesemaybeprovidedfor，notonlybetterbutmoreconsistentlywithpublictranquillity，byconstitutionalmethods，andalegalcourseofOppositiontotheexcessesofregalorministerialpower。WhatItouchuponheremightbemadeextremelyplain；andIthinktheobservationwouldappeartobeofnosmallimportance：butIshouldbecarriedtoofarfrommysubject，andmysubjectwillaffordmematterofmoreagreeablespeculation。
Itistruethataprince，whogivesjustreasonstoexpectthathisreignwillbethatofaPatriotKing，maynotalwaysmeet，andfromallpersons，suchreturnsassuchexpectationsdeserve：buttheymustnothindereithertheprincefromcontinuingtogivethem，orthepeoplefromcontinuingtoacknowledgethem。United，nonecanhurtthem：andifnoartificeinterrupts，nopowercandefeattheeffectsoftheirperseverance。Itwillblastmanyawickedproject，keepvirtueincountenance，andvice，tosomedegreeatleast，inawe。Nay，ifitshouldfailtohavetheseeffects，ifweshouldevensupposeagoodprincetosufferwiththepeople，andinsomemeasureforthem，vetmanyadvantageswouldaccruetohim：forinstance，thecauseofthepeopleheistogovern，andhisowncausewouldbemadethesamebytheircommonenemies。Hewouldfeelgrievanceshimselfasasubject，beforehehadthepowerofimposingthemasaking。Hewouldbeformedinthatschooloutofwhichthegreatestandthebestofmonarchshavecome，theschoolofaffliction：andallthevices，whichhadprevailedbeforehisreign，wouldserveassomanyfoilstothegloriesofit。ButIhastentospeakofthegreatestofalltheseadvantages，andofthatwhichaPatriotKingwillesteemtobesuch；whosewaysofthinkingandactingtosogloriousapurposeasthere—establishmentofafreeconstitution，whenithasbeenshookbytheiniquityofformeradministrations，Ishallendeavourtoexplain。
WhatIhaveheresaidwillpassamongsomeforthereveriesofadistemperedbrain，atbestforthevainspeculationsofanidlemanwhohaslostsightoftheworld，orwhohadneversagacityenoughtodiscerningovernmentthepracticablefromtheimpracticable。Willitnotbesaid，thatthisisadvisingakingtorouseaspiritwhichmayturnagainsthimself；torejectthesoleexpedientofgoverningalimitedmonarchywithsuccess；tolabourtoconfine，insteadoflabouringtoextend，hispower：topatchupanoldconstitution，whichhispeoplearedisposedtolayaside，insteadofforminganewonemoreagreeabletothem，andmoreadvantageoustohim；torefuse，inshort，tobeanabsolutemonarch，wheneverycircumstanceinviteshimtoit？Alltheseparticulars，ineveryoneofwhichthequestionisbegged，willbethusrepresented，andwillbethenridiculedasparadoxesfittoberankedamongthe’mirabiliaetinopinata’oftheStoics，andsuchasnomaninhissensescanmaintaininearnest。Thesejudgmentsandthesereasoningsmaybeexpectedinanageasfutileandascorruptasours：inanagewhereinsomanybetraythecauseofliberty，andactnotonlywithoutregard，butindirectopposition，tothemostimportantinterestsoftheircountry；notonlyoccasionally，bysurprise，byweakness，bystrongtemptation，orslyseduction，butconstantly，steadily，bydeliberatechoice，andinpursuanceofprinciplestheyavowandpropagate：inanagewhensomanyothersshrinkfromtheserviceoftheircountry；orpromoteitcoollyanduncertainly，insubordinationtotheirowninterestandhumour，ortothoseofaparty：
inanage，whentoassertthetruthiscalledspreadingofdelusion，andtoassertthecauseoflibertyandgoodgovernment，istermedsowingofsedition。
ButIhavedeclaredalreadymyunconcernednessatthecensureorridiculeofsuchmenasthese；forwhosesupposedabilitiesIhavemuchwell—groundedcontempt，andagainstwhoserealimmoralityIhaveasjustindignation。
Letuscome，therefore，tothebarofreasonandexperience，whereweshallfindtheseparadoxesadmittedasplainandalmostself—evidentpropositions，andthesereveriesandvainspeculationsasimportanttruths，confirmedbyexperienceinallagesandallcountries。