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CHAP. XXIII.
Vpon what occasion Camillus was banished from Rome.
WE have concluded in the Chapter before, that to imitate Valerius may prejudice your Country, and your self; and that to imitate Manlius may be convenient for your self, and prejudicial to your Country; which opinion is much confirmed by the case of Camillus, whose proceedings were more like Manlius, than Valerius; for which rea∣son, Livy speaking of him tells us, Ejus virtutem milites oderant••, & Mirabantur. His virtue was both odious, and admirable to his Soldiers. That which made him admired was his Diligence, Prudence, Magnanimity, and Conduct: That which made him hated was, that he was more severe in punishing, than liberal in rewarding. And of this hatred Livy gives these following reasons: First, because he caused the Money which was made of the goods of the Vejentes to be applyed to publick use, and not distributed with the rest of the prey: Next, because in his Triumphal Chariot he caused himself to be drawn by four white Horses, which was accounted so great a piece of arrogance, that it was thought he did it to equalize the Sun. A third was, that he had devoted a tenth part of the spoils of the Vejentes to Apollo, which (to keep his Vow) was to be taken back again from the Soldiers who had got it in their clutches: From whence it may be observed, that nothing makes a Prince more odious to the people, than to deprive them of their possessions, which is a thing of so great importance, that it is never forgotten; because upon every little want, it comes fresh into their Memories, and men being daily subject to those wants, will daily remember it; and next to this is, being insolent and proud, which is likewise extreamly odious to the people, especially if they be free. And although perhaps no detriment ac∣crews to them from his pride, yet they are observed always to detest him that uses it. So that a great person is to avoid it as a rock, because it begets hatred, and that without any advantage, which makes it a very rash, and imprudent thing.