Montesquieu (1689–1755). Persian Letters. 1901.
Letter CXXVIIRica to Usbek, at
I
I own, Usbek, that I have never beheld the tears fall from the eyes of any one without deep sympathy: my humanity feels for the unhappy, as if they only were human; and great people even, toward whom my heart is hardened when they are prosperous, gain my affection in adversity.
Indeed, in the time of their prosperity what need have they of useless affection? It comes too near equality. They prefer respect, which requires no return. As soon, however, as they have fallen from their greatness, there is nothing left to recall it to them but our lamentation.
I find an admirable simplicity, and an equally admirable greatness, in the words of a prince, who, being in great danger of falling into the hands of his enemies, said to his courtiers, who stood weeping round him, “I see by your tears that I am still your king.”
P