Sometimes a general learns by a bulletin of an action that he was never in and of a speech that he never made." If he complains, he is notified to keep still, or by way of recompense he is allowed to pillage, levy contributions, and enrich himself.

On becoming duke or hereditary prince, with half a million or a million of revenue from his estate, he is not less held in subjection, for the creator has taken precautions against his own creations.
"There are men,"[1257] he said, "who I have made independent, but I know well where to find them and keep them from being ungrateful." In effect, if he has endowed them magnificently it is with domains assigned to them in conquered countries, which insures their fortune being his fortune.

Besides, in order that they may not enjoy any pecuniary stability, he expressly encourages them and all his grand dignitaries to make extravagant outlays; thus, through their financial embarrassments be holds them in a leash.

"We have seen most of his marshals, constantly pressed by their creditors, come to him for assistance, which he has given as he fancied, or as he found it for his interest to attach some one to him."[1258] Thus, beyond the universal ascendancy which his power and genius have conferred on him, he craves a personal, supplementary, and irresistible hold on everybody.

Consequently,[1259] "he carefully cultivates all the bad passions....