Rousseau_contrat-social

history then confirms, instead of invalidating, the principle I have
laid down.
29. "Omnes enim et habentur et dicuntur tyranni, qui potestate utuntur
perpetua in ea civitate quæ libertate usa est" (Cornelius Nepos, Life of
Miltiades). (For all those are called and considered tyrants, who hold
perpetual power in a State that has known liberty.) It is true that
Aristotle (Ethics, Book viii, chapter x) distinguishes the tyrant from
the king by the fact that the former governs in his own interest, and
the latter only for the good of his subjects; but not only did all Greek
authors in general use the word tyrant in a different sense, as appears
most clearly in Xenophon's Hiero, but also it would follow from
Aristotle's distinction that, from the very beginning of the world,
there has not yet been a single king.
30. In nearly the same sense as this word has in the English Parliament.
The similarity of these functions would have brought the consuls and the
tribunes into conflict, even had all jurisdiction been suspended.
31. To adopt in cold countries the luxury and effeminacy of the East is
to desire to submit to its chains; it is indeed to bow to them far more
inevitably in our case than in theirs.
32. I had intended to do this in the sequel to this work, when in
dealing with external relations I came to the subject of confederations.
The subject is quite new, and its principles have still to be laid down.
33. Provided, of course, he does not leave to escape his obligations and
avoid having to serve his country in the hour of need. Flight in such a
case would be criminal and punishable, and would be, not withdrawal, but
desertion.
34. This should of course be understood as applying to a free State; for
elsewhere family, goods, lack of a refuge, necessity, or violence may
detain a man in a country against his will; and then his dwelling there
no longer by itself implies his consent to the contract or to its
violation.
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