Calumny, therefore, is most rife in that State wherein impeachment is least practised, and the laws least favour it.

For which reasons the legislator should so shape the laws of his State that it shall be possible therein to impeach any of its citizens without fear or favour; and, after duly providing for this, should visit calumniators with the sharpest punishments.

Those punished will have no cause to complain, since it was in their power to have impeached openly where they have secretly calumniated.

Where this is not seen to, grave disorders will always ensue.

For calumnies sting without disabling; and those who are stung being more moved by hatred of their detractors than by fear of the things they say against them, seek revenge.
This matter, as we have said, was well arranged for in Rome, but has always been badly regulated in our city of Florence.