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revolution_frI've just been in the British Library looking through Marat's Chains of Slavery. I have to confess I'd never properly read any Marat before, what with the iffy French it would have to be a very slow process. However I can get around that with this work because it's in English (that was considerate of him!), published for a British audience in 1774. I didn't have much time, nor did I have a laptop, but I did manage to copy out a few pages, which deal with the use of writing against tyranny. Oh, and did I mention this man is brilliant? My love is growing at an alarming rate.
Chap. XXX
Of ill-grounded Writings.
When administration is censured, the charges against it ought constantly to be supported by incontrovertable facts. If the subjects, in a just cause, make any inconsiderate step, it suffices to ruin their affairs. The Prince, who at first trembled under the lash of the malcontents, while they confined themselves within the bounds of prudence, triumphs as soon as they go beyond; he complains, in his fury he prosecutes those who have handled the pen; and leaving the public grievances for his private injuries, he oftentimes succeeds in making the people lose sight of the principle object. Thus the friends of liberty, who, by cautious proceedings, might have been victorious, lose by a single act of imprudence the fruit of their past efforts.
Of this truth we have a convincing proof before us. While the author of the North Briton contented himself with censuring the government, with disclosing the secret views of the favourite, with pursuing and prosecuting him closely, he kept the ministry in perpetual alarm, and made them tremble under the lash of his spirited writings. But when he disgraced his pen, by employing it in grossly aspersing the character of a certain Princess, instead of attacking arbitrary power, he furnished his enemies with weapons to his own destruction.
Chap. XXXI
Of Satirical Writings.
The manner in which the cause of the public is defended, is not of little concern to liberty.
When tyranny is complained of, let it be always in a grave and animated stile. Satirical writers attack indeed the tyrant, but not tyranny; and far from reminding him of his duty, they mortally wound his pride, they exasperate and increase the mire.
Satirical strokes avail not but to promote servitude: and although sensible men might look upon them not as upon exaggerated charges, they go not the less against the aim intended. For by affording fewel to public malignity*, they ease the people’s griefs, weaken the sense of their injuries, and prevent their resentment; they make them laugh at their own misfortunes, and patiently suffer tyranny.
*It is a constant practice with the French to ease their grief about public misfortunes with songs and epigrams.
Chap. XXXII
Of Invectives.
The want of decency likewise prejudices the cause of the public. Gross invectives indispose peaceable men, scandalize well bred men, and alienate all those cool patriots who are tied but by a thread to the cause of liberty.
Chap. XXXIII
Of bad Writings.
If it is of great concern that the public cause be not defended but in a serious stile, it is of no less concern that it be pleaded in a masterly manner. All those stupid writers, who stand forth as the champions of liberty, only prejudice it. Their languid productions do not awaken, do not persuade, do not animate the reader; and the languor they inspire prevents any spirited attempt.
Chap. XXXIV
Of too great a Multiplicity of Writings.
It has been said, that in a state jealous of its liberty, some men ought never to be wanting to reclaim the laws when violated by the Prince, to rouse the people from their lethargy, to guide them in difficult cases, and bring them back to their rights. But as the human mind, when too long intent upon any object, becomes weary of it; all is undone, if in exciting the patriotic zeal of the people, their spirits be exhausted, and their zeal rendered extinct.
This unfortunately has happened to us in our late dissensions. Plagued with so many writings, and exhausted by our own efforts, we are at present reduced to such an apathy that nothing is able to fix our attention.
The final chapter was very intense and moving. I've just got the last paragraph here, which has to be the least optimistic conclusion, ever:
Such are commonly the steps by which Princes advance to despotism. Thus Liberty has the fate of all other human things: It yields to Time which destroys every thing, to Vice which corrupts every thing, to Ignorance which confounds every thing, and to Force which crushes every thing.
FINIS.
EDIT. And this is why you should not do these things in a hurry. Have tried to fix the several typos and added the footnote which I forgot to type up in the first place. Apologies.
Of ill-grounded Writings.
When administration is censured, the charges against it ought constantly to be supported by incontrovertable facts. If the subjects, in a just cause, make any inconsiderate step, it suffices to ruin their affairs. The Prince, who at first trembled under the lash of the malcontents, while they confined themselves within the bounds of prudence, triumphs as soon as they go beyond; he complains, in his fury he prosecutes those who have handled the pen; and leaving the public grievances for his private injuries, he oftentimes succeeds in making the people lose sight of the principle object. Thus the friends of liberty, who, by cautious proceedings, might have been victorious, lose by a single act of imprudence the fruit of their past efforts.
Of this truth we have a convincing proof before us. While the author of the North Briton contented himself with censuring the government, with disclosing the secret views of the favourite, with pursuing and prosecuting him closely, he kept the ministry in perpetual alarm, and made them tremble under the lash of his spirited writings. But when he disgraced his pen, by employing it in grossly aspersing the character of a certain Princess, instead of attacking arbitrary power, he furnished his enemies with weapons to his own destruction.
Of Satirical Writings.
The manner in which the cause of the public is defended, is not of little concern to liberty.
When tyranny is complained of, let it be always in a grave and animated stile. Satirical writers attack indeed the tyrant, but not tyranny; and far from reminding him of his duty, they mortally wound his pride, they exasperate and increase the mire.
Satirical strokes avail not but to promote servitude: and although sensible men might look upon them not as upon exaggerated charges, they go not the less against the aim intended. For by affording fewel to public malignity*, they ease the people’s griefs, weaken the sense of their injuries, and prevent their resentment; they make them laugh at their own misfortunes, and patiently suffer tyranny.
*It is a constant practice with the French to ease their grief about public misfortunes with songs and epigrams.
Of Invectives.
The want of decency likewise prejudices the cause of the public. Gross invectives indispose peaceable men, scandalize well bred men, and alienate all those cool patriots who are tied but by a thread to the cause of liberty.
Of bad Writings.
If it is of great concern that the public cause be not defended but in a serious stile, it is of no less concern that it be pleaded in a masterly manner. All those stupid writers, who stand forth as the champions of liberty, only prejudice it. Their languid productions do not awaken, do not persuade, do not animate the reader; and the languor they inspire prevents any spirited attempt.
Of too great a Multiplicity of Writings.
It has been said, that in a state jealous of its liberty, some men ought never to be wanting to reclaim the laws when violated by the Prince, to rouse the people from their lethargy, to guide them in difficult cases, and bring them back to their rights. But as the human mind, when too long intent upon any object, becomes weary of it; all is undone, if in exciting the patriotic zeal of the people, their spirits be exhausted, and their zeal rendered extinct.
This unfortunately has happened to us in our late dissensions. Plagued with so many writings, and exhausted by our own efforts, we are at present reduced to such an apathy that nothing is able to fix our attention.
The final chapter was very intense and moving. I've just got the last paragraph here, which has to be the least optimistic conclusion, ever:
Such are commonly the steps by which Princes advance to despotism. Thus Liberty has the fate of all other human things: It yields to Time which destroys every thing, to Vice which corrupts every thing, to Ignorance which confounds every thing, and to Force which crushes every thing.
EDIT. And this is why you should not do these things in a hurry. Have tried to fix the several typos and added the footnote which I forgot to type up in the first place. Apologies.
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