23.
It is the greatest glory to the several states to have as wide deserts as
possible around them, their frontiers having been laid waste. They consider this
the real evidence of their prowess, that their neighbors shall be driven out of
their lands and abandon them, and that no one dare settle near them; at the same
time they think that they shall be on that account the more secure, because they
have removed the apprehension of a sudden incursion. When a state either repels
war waged against it, or wages it against another, magistrates are chosen to
preside over that war with such authority, that they have power of life and
death. In peace there is no common magistrate, but the chiefs of provinces and
cantons administer justice and determine controversies among their own people.
Robberies which are committed beyond the boundaries of each state bear no
infamy, and they avow that these are committed for the purpose of disciplining
their youth and of preventing sloth. And when any of their chiefs has said in an
assembly "that he will be their leader, let those who are willing to follow,
give in their names;" they who approve of both the enterprise and the man arise
and promise their assistance and are applauded by the people; such of them as
have not followed him are accounted in the number of deserters and traitors, and
confidence in all matters is afterward refused them. To injure guests they
regard as impious; they defend from wrong those who have come to them for any
purpose whatever, and esteem them inviolable; to them the houses of all are open
and maintenance is freely supplied.
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