their administration, seeing
the Senate (as is plain by the oracle, their fundamental law) had no
more than the debate, and the result of the commonwealth belonged to the
people.

"Wherefore when Theopompus and Polydorus, Kings of Lacedaemon, would
have kept the people excluded from the government by adding to the
ancient law this clause, 'If the determination of the people be faulty,
it shall be lawful for the Senate to resume the debate,' the people
immediately became unquiet, and resumed that debate, which ended not
till they had set up their ephors, and caused that magistracy to be
confirmed by their kings." For when Theopompus first ordained that
the ephori or overseers should be created at Lacedaemon, to be such a
restraint upon the kings there as the tribunes were upon the consuls at
Rome, the Queen complained to him, that by this means he transmitted
the royal authority greatly diminished to his children: "I leave indeed
less," answered he, "but more lasting." And this was excellently said;
for that power only is safe which is limited from doing hurt. Theopompus
therefore, by confining the kingly power within the bounds of the laws,
did recommend it by so much to the people's affection as he removed it
from being arbitrary.' By which it may appear that a commonwealth for
preservation, if she comes to be unequal, is as obnoxious to enmity
between the Senate and the people as a commonwealth for increase; and
that the tranquillity of Lacedaemon was derived from no other cause than
her equality.

"For Venice, to say that she is quiet because she disarms her subjects,
is to forget that Lacedaemon disarmed her helots, and yet could not in
their regard be quiet; wherefore if Venice be defended from external
causes of commotion, it is first through her situation, in which respect
her subjects have no hope (and this indeed may be attributed to her
fortune); and, secondly, through her exquisite justice, whence they have
no will to invade her. But this can be attributed to no other cause than
her prudence, which will appear to be greater, as we look nearer; for
the effects that proceed from fortune, if there be any such thing, are
like their cause, inconstant. But there never happened to any other
commonwealth so undisturbed and constant a tranquillity and peace in
herself as are in that of Venice; wherefore this must proceed from some
other cause than chance. And we see that as she is of all others the
most quiet, so th