As vast as humanity, it had not the selfishness to isolate itself.

It desired to give, and not to deprive.
It sought to spread itself by right, and not by force.

Essentially spiritual, it sought no other empire for France than the voluntary empire which imitation by the human mind conferred upon it.
Its work was prodigious, its means a nullity; all that enthusiasm can inspire, the Assembly undertook and perfected, without a king, without a military leader, without a dictator, without an army, without any other strength than deep conviction.

Alone, in the midst of an amazed people, with a disbanded army, an emigrating aristocracy, a despoiled clergy, a conspiring court, a seditious city, hostile Europe--it did what it designed.

Such is the will, such the real power of a people--and such is truth, the irresistible auxiliary of the men who agitate themselves for God.