CHAP. XXXVI.
Citizens who have executed the greatest Offices, ought not afterwards. to disdain or scruple the less.
MArcus Fabius and Cais Manlius being Consuls, the Romans obtained a glorious Vi∣ctory over the Veientes, and the Etrusci, in which was slain Quintus Fabius Brother to the Consul, who was chosen the year before. From whence occasion is offered of ad∣miring the excellence of the Roman constitution; and observing how well it was accom∣modated for the enlargement of their Empire, from whose Model the more the Common∣wealths of our days do recede, the more do they wander and deviate from the best. For though the Romans affected glory and command as much as other people, they did not disdain notwithstanding to obey in their Armies, the same persons whom they had for∣merly commanded; and serve as private Soldiers, where they had formerly been Generals. This is a practice contrary to the opinion and genius of our age so much, that in Venice it is provided by a publick Law, that a Citizen who has had a greater command, may refuse to accept of a less (and the City allows it) which Law though it may be convenient for pri∣vate persons, must needs be prejudicial to the publick; because the publick may with more confidence commit an inferior command to a great Officer, than prefer an inferior Officer to a great command: For to a young Soldier, those places of importance are not safely entrusted, unless persons of experience and wisdom be placed about him, by whose Coun∣sel he may be directed: And if the Romans had done then, what the Venetians and other Commonwealths do now, and not suffered any man who had ever been Consul, to serve in any other quality, many things had befallen them that would have endangered their liberty; and again, if any young Officers had been admitted to the supreme commands, and no body placed about them to manage and direct them, they would have grown dissolute and careless, and many things have hapned that might have ruined the State.