The advantages of sovereignty are in a manner but imaginary: every degree of fortune has in it some image of principality.
Caesar calls all the lords of France, having free franchise within their own demesnes, roitelets or petty kings; and in truth, the name of sire excepted, they go pretty far towards kingship; for do but look into the provinces remote from court, as Brittany for example; take notice of the train, the vassals, the officers, the employments, service, ceremony, and state of a lord who lives retired from court in his own house, amongst his own tenants and servants; and observe withal the flight of his imagination; there is nothing more royal; he hears talk of his master once a year, as of a king of Persia, without taking any further recognition of him, than by some remote kindred his secretary keeps in some register.

And, to speak the truth, our laws are easy enough, so easy that a gentleman of France scarce feels the weight of sovereignty pinch his shoulders above twice in his life.

Real and effectual subjection only concerns such amongst us as voluntarily thrust their necks under the yoke, and who design to get wealth and honours by such services: for a man that loves his own fireside, and can govern his house without falling by the ears with his neighbours or engaging in suits of law, is as free as a Duke of Venice.
"Paucos servitus, plures servitutem tenent." ["Servitude enchains few, but many enchain themselves to servitude."-- Seneca, Ep., 22.] But that which Hiero is most concerned at is, that he finds himself stripped of all friendship, deprived of all mutual society, wherein the true and most perfect fruition of human life consists.

For what testimony of affection and goodwill can I extract from him that owes me, whether he will or no, all that he is able to do?
Can I form any assurance of his real respect to me, from his humble way of speaking and submissive behaviour, when these are ceremonies it is not in his choice to deny?
The honour we receive from those that fear us is not honour; those respects are due to royalty and not to me: "Maximum hoc regni bonum est Quod facta domini cogitur populus sui Quam ferre, tam laudare." ["'Tis the greatest benefit of a kingdom that the people is forced to commend, as well as to bear the acts of the ruler." -- Seneca, Thyestes, ii.

i, 30.] Do I not see that the wicked and the good king, he that is hated and he that is beloved, have the one as much reverence paid him as the other?
My predecessor was, and my successor shall be, served with the same ceremony and state.