As to the former, there is no need of being scrupulous because they are infatuated with prejudices and their opinions are mere drivel; as for the latter, it is just the opposite: full of respect for the vainglorious images of his own theory, of ghosts produced by his own intellectual device, the Jacobin will always bow down to responses that he himself has provided, for, the beings that he has created are more real in his eyes than living ones and it is their suffrage on which he counts.

Accordingly, viewing things in the worst lights, he has nothing against him but the momentary antipathy of a purblind generation.

To offset this, he enjoys the approval of humanity, self-obtained; that of a posterity which his acts have regenerated; that of men who, thanks to him, who are again become what they should never have ceased to be.

Hence, far from looking upon himself as an usurper or a tyrant, he considers himself the natural mandatory of a veritable people, the authorized executor of the common will.

Marching along in the procession formed for him by this imaginary crowd, sustained by millions of metaphysical wills created by himself in his own image, he has their unanimous assent, and, like a chorus of triumphant shouts, he will fill the outward world with the inward echo of his own voice.
IV .-- What the theory promises.
How it flatters wounded self-esteem .-- The ruling passion of the Jacobin .-- Apparent both in style and conduct .-- He alone is virtuous in his own estimation, while his adversaries are vile .-- They must accordingly be put out of the way .-- Perfection of this character .-- Common sense and moral sense both perverted.
When an ideology attracts people, it is less due to its sophistication than to the promises it holds out.