often happens that absolute rulers are the most dependent of slaves on their surrounding, and if we could only hear the true opinions of those who are publicly regarded with the utmost hate, we should perhaps be deeply moved by the most truthful complaints of unheard-of arts of seduction and the sad perversion of the best feelings of the human heart. And there is, moreover, in unlimited power such a terrible capacity for evil temptation that only the very noblest man can resist it. He who is subject to no law is deprived of the most salutary means of defence, for the laws should protect us not only against others, but ourselves. Therefore the belief that their power is bestowed on them by God is not only pardonable in absolute princes, but even necessary. Without such a faith they would be the most unfortunate of mortals who, without being more than men, are subject to superhuman temptations and responsibilities. It was that faith in a divine mandate which gave the absolute kings whom we admire in history a glory and a greatness to which no modern royalty can rise. They were mundane mediators;[1] they had at times to expiate the crimes of their people; they were at once the offering and the priest; they were holy or sacer in the antique sense of
- ↑ French version—"Ils étaient des médiateurs célestes." German—"Weltliche Vermittler."
