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INTRODUCTION.
xxxi
powerful weapon must it not be, in; the hands of those who know how to wield it;
dicine but the experience of ancient physicians, serving as a guide to those of modern times. But strange as it may seem in order to found a republic, maintain states, govern a kingdom, organize an army, conduct a war, dispense justice, or enlarge an empire, we do not find the citizen, general, republic, or prince, have recourse to the examples of antiquity. This negligence is less owing to the weakness arising from the vices of education than to the evils produced by that slothful pride so predominant in most of the Christian states, and the want of a profound knowledge of history, of which the true sense and spirit has escaped us.
Thus the greater portion of those who read history never think of studying it, contenting themselves with the pleasure which the contemplation of such a variety of events affords. The idea never occurs to them of striving to imitate the splendid actions of antiquity: the imitation appearing to them not only difficult, but even impossible; as if the elements, the heavens, the sun, and man himself, had changed their order, motion, and power, and were different from what they formerly were.It is, as much as in me lies, to undeceive man in this respect, that I have undertaken this commentary on Livy and compare those ancient and modern events which appear to facilitate the intelligence; by which my readers will perceive the advantages that we ought to propose to ourselves in the study and knowledge of history, &c."—Introduction to Reflections on Livy.He
