Of these conditions not one was conducive to the sense of honor as conceived in France or England.

Taken altogether and in combination, they could not fail to be eminently unfavorable to its development.

In such a society Bayard and Sir Walter Manny would have been out of place: the motto _noblesse oblige_ would have had but little meaning.[5] Instead of Honor, Virtu ruled the world in Italy.

The moral atmosphere again was critical and highly intellectualized.

Mental ability combined with personal daring gave rank.