CHAP. XLII.
That forc'd Promises are not binding.
THe Consuls being returning to Rome, with their Army disarmed, and a scandal upon them for the dishonourable conditions to which they had submitted; the first who spake against the keeping them, was S. Postumius the Consul, who persuaded the Senate that only himself, and those who accepted them, were obliged thereby; and that they did not extend to the people of Rome; wherefore if the people of Rome would be never so exact, the most that could be expected from them, would be but to deliver up him, and all those who had engaged themselves into the hands of the Samnites; and this he main∣tained with so much obstinacy and zeal, that the Senate was ••onvinced, and sent him and the rest back Prisoners to the Samnites, with a protestation against the Peace, as not ex∣tending to them; and fortune was so favourable to Postumius in the business, that the Sam∣nites not retaining him, he return'd to Rome, and was in greater reputation there after his loss, than Pontius was among the Samnites after his Victory. And here there are two things more particularly remarkable: One is, That there is no action, but is capable of producing honour and renown; in victory there is nothing more frequent: In loss, it is possible, by making it appear that it came not by your fault; or else by doing some action presently after, that may recompense and repair it. The other is, That it is not scanda∣lous to break such promises as are extorted by force. For in promises relating to the pub∣lick, if they be obtained by force, when the force ceases, the promise ceaseth with it, and may be neglected without any disgrace. Of this, all History is full of examples, and there is not a day but presents us with new: For as we see Princes make no Conscience of per∣forming any thing that they are obliged to by force, especially if the force be removed; so they are as little tender of their promises in other things, when the cause which press'd them to promise is taken away: which whether commendable or not in a Prince, or binding or not binding, I shall not determine in this place, having spoken of it so largely in my Treatise called The Prince.