They diminish by their imposts the wealth of the peoples ruled by them.

Their unbridled lust is never satiated, but their subjects have to suffer such outrages and insults as their fancy may from time to time suggest.

But inasmuch as the violence of tyranny is manifested to all eyes by these and many other atrocities, we need not enumerate them afresh.

It is enough to select one feature, strange in appearance but familiar in fact; for what can be more extraordinary than to see princes of ancient and illustrious lineage bowing to the service of despots, men of high descent and time-honored nobility frequenting their tables and accepting their bounties?
Yet if we consider the end of all this, the glory of tyrants often turns to misery and ruin.

Who can exaggerate their wretchedness?
They know not where to place their confidence; and their courtiers are always on the lookout for the despot's fall, gladly lending their influence and best endeavors to undo him in spite of previous servility.
This does not happen to hereditary kings, because their conduct toward their subjects, as well as their good qualities and all their circumstances, are of a nature contrary to that of tyrants.