To retrace its history would be to present almost the entire history of every nation: Assyrians, Babylonians, Medes, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Goths, Franks, Huns, Turks, Arabs, Tartars, without counting the more recent expeditions of the English in India, the French in Africa, the Russians in Asia, etc., etc.
But among civilized nations surely the producers of riches are now become sufficiently numerous and strong to defend themselves.
Does this mean that they are no longer robbed?
They are as much so as ever, and moreover they rob one another.
The only difference is that Spoliation has changed her agent.

She acts no longer by _Force_, but by _Cunning_.
To rob the public, it is necessary to deceive them.

To deceive them, it is necessary to persuade them that they are robbed for their own advantage, and to induce them to accept in exchange for their property, imaginary services, and often worse.

Hence spring _Sophisms_ in all their varieties.

Then, since Force is held in check, _Sophistry_ is no longer only an evil; it is the genius of evil, and requires a check in its turn.