He can assume the disguise of virtue or disinterestedness without having them, or veil personal enmity in the language of patriotism and philosophy,--he can say the word which all men are thinking, he has an insight which is terrible into the follies and weaknesses of his fellow-men.

An Alcibiades, a Mirabeau, or a Napoleon the First, are born either to be the authors of great evils in states, or 'of great good, when they are drawn in that direction.' Yet the thesis, 'corruptio optimi pessima,' cannot be maintained generally or without regard to the kind of excellence which is corrupted.

The alien conditions which are corrupting to one nature, may be the elements of culture to another.

In general a man can only receive his highest development in a congenial state or family, among friends or fellow-workers.

But also he may sometimes be stirred by adverse circumstances to such a degree that he rises up against them and reforms them.