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All Collections > The Complete Works of Montesquieu. Electronic Edition. > Volume II. > body > book xx.: of laws in relation to commerce, considered in its nature and distinctions. > chap. XIX.: that a prince ought not to engage himself in commerce.
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The Complete Works of Montesquieu. Electronic Edition.
cover
Volume II.
Body
BOOK XX.: OF LAWS IN RELATION TO COMMERCE, CONSIDERED IN ITS NATURE AND DISTINCTIONS.
CHAP. XIX.: That a Prince ought not to engage himself in Commerce.

CHAP. XIX.: That a Prince ought not to engage himself in Commerce.

THEOPHILUS†16 seeing a vessel laden with merchandises for his wife Theodora, ordered it to be burnt. “I am Emperor,” said he,
“and you make me the master of a galley: By what means shall these poor men gain a livelihood, if we take their trade out of their hands?” He might have added, Who shall set bounds to us, if we monopolize all to ourselves? Who shall oblige us to fulfil our engagements? Our courtiers will follow our example; they will be more greedy, and more unjust than we: The people have some confidence in our justice; they will have none in our opulence: All these numerous duties, which are the cause of their wants, are certain proofs of ours.

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