of
Tullius, nor ever have believed it possible that from Caesar's heir, or
from soldiers who had followed Caesar, they could look for anything that
consisted with the name of Freedom.

CHAPTER LIII.--_That the People, deceived by a false show of Advantage,
often desire what would be their Ruin; and that large Hopes and brave
Promises easily move them_.

When Veii fell, the commons of Rome took up the notion that it would be
to the advantage of their city were half their number to go and dwell
there. For they argued that as Veii lay in a fertile country and was
a well-built city, a moiety of the Roman people might in this way be
enriched; while, by reason of its vicinity to Rome, the management of
civil affairs would in no degree be affected. To the senate, however,
and the wiser among the citizens, the scheme appeared so rash and
mischievous that they publicly declared they would die sooner than
consent to it. The controversy continuing, the commons grew so inflamed
against the senate that violence and bloodshed must have ensued; had not
the senate for their protection put forward certain old and esteemed
citizens, respect for whom restrained the populace and put a stop to
their violence.

Two points are here to be noted. First, that a people deceived by a
false show of advantage will often labour for its own destruction; and,
unless convinced by some one whom it trusts, that the course on which
it is bent is pernicious, and that some other is to be preferred, will
bring infinite danger and injury upon the State. And should it so
happen, as sometimes is the case, that from having been deceived before,
either by men or by events, there is none in whom the people trust,
their ruin is inevitable. As to which Dante, in his treatise "De
Monarchia," observes that the people will often raise the cry,
"_Flourish our death and perish our life_."[1] From which
distrust it arises that often in republics the right course is not
followed; as when Venice, as has been related, on being attacked by many
enemies, could not, until her ruin was complete, resolve to make friends
with any one of them by restoring those territories she had taken from
them, on account of which war had been declared and a league of princes
formed against her.

In considering what courses it is easy, and what it is difficult to
persuade a people to follow, this distinction may be drawn: Either what
you would persuade them to, presents on the face of i