They wish to honor themselves through their master; they elevate him on their shoulders as on a pedestal; they surround him with a halo of light, in order that some of it may be reflected upon themselves.

It is still the fable of the dog who contents himself with the chain and collar, so that they are of gold.
This servile vanity is not less natural or less common than the vanity of dominion.

Whoever feels himself incapable of command, at least desires to obey a powerful chief.

Serfs have been known to consider themselves dishonored when they became the property of a mere count after having been that of a prince, and Saint-Simon mentions a valet who would only wait upon marquises.
July 7th, seven o'clock P.M .-- I have just now been up the Boulevards; it was the opera night, and there was a crowd of carriages in the Rue Lepelletier.

The foot-passengers who were stopped at a crossing recognized the persons in some of these as we went by, and mentioned their names; they were those of celebrated or powerful men, the successful ones of the day.
Near me there was a man looking on with hollow cheeks and eager eyes, whose thin black coat was threadbare.