the same mind, judged
otherwise, not permitting the multitude to take up arms unless they were
to be bound by the rules and discipline of military service. Let
him, therefore, who is called on to defend a city, taking example by
Camillus, before all things avoid placing arms in the hands of an
undisciplined multitude, but first of all select and enroll those whom
he proposes to arm, so that they may be wholly governed by him as to
where they shall assemble and whither they shall march; and then let him
direct those who are not enrolled, to abide every man in his own house
for its defence. Whosoever observes this method in a city which is
attacked, will be able to defend it with ease; but whosoever disregards
it, and follows not the example of Camillus, shall never succeed.

CHAPTER XXXI.--_That strong Republics and valiant Men preserve through
every change the same Spirit and Bearing._

Among other high sayings which our historian ascribes to Camillus, as
showing of what stuff a truly great man should be made, he puts in his
mouth the words, "_My courage came not with my dictatorship nor went
with my exile;_" for by these words we are taught that a great man
is constantly the same through all vicissitudes of Fortune; so that
although she change, now exalting, now depressing, he remains unchanged,
and retains always a mind so unmoved, and in such complete accordance
with his nature as declares to all that over him Fortune has no
dominion.

Very different is the behaviour of those weak-minded mortals who, puffed
up and intoxicated with their success, ascribe all their felicity to
virtues which they never knew, and thus grow hateful and insupportable
to all around them. Whence also the changes in their fortunes. For
whenever they have to look adversity in the face, they suddenly pass to
the other extreme, becoming abject and base. And thus it happens that
feeble-minded princes, when they fall into difficulties, think rather
of flight than of defence, because, having made bad use of their
prosperity, they are wholly unprepared to defend themselves.

The same merits and defects which I say are found in individual men, are
likewise found in republics, whereof we have example in the case of Rome
and of Venice. For no reverse of fortune ever broke the spirit of the
Roman people, nor did any success ever unduly elate them; as we see
plainly after their defeat at Cannae, and after the victory they had over
Antiochus. For