.

The licentiousness which had been for some time restrained by the
judicious management of Dejoces, began to prevail more than ever, as soon
as he had withdrawn himself from the administration of affairs; and the
evil increased to such a degree, that the Medes were obliged to assemble,
and deliberate upon the means of putting a stop to the public disorder.

There are different sorts of ambition: some violent and impetuous,
carrying every thing as it were by storm, hesitating at no kind of cruelty
or murder: another sort, more gentle, like that we are speaking of, puts
on an appearance of moderation and justice, working under ground, (if I
may use that expression,) and yet arrives at her point as surely as the
other.

Dejoces, who saw things succeeding according to his wish, sent his
emissaries to the assembly, after having instructed them in the part they
were to act. When expedients for stopping the course of the public evils
came to be proposed, these emissaries, speaking in their turn,
represented, that unless the face of the republic was entirely changed,
their country would become uninhabitable; that the only means to remedy
the present disorders was to elect a king, who should have authority to
restrain violence, and make laws for the government of the nation. Then
every man could prosecute his own affairs in peace and safety; whereas the
injustice that now reigned in all parts, would quickly force the people to
abandon the country. This opinion was generally approved; and the whole
company was convinced, that no expedient could be devised more effectual
for curing the present evil, than that of converting the state into a
monarchy. The only thing then to be done, was to choose a king; and about
this their deliberations were not long. They all agreed there was not a
man in Media so capable of governing as Dejoces; so that he was
immediately with common consent elected king.

If we reflect in the least on the first establishment of kingdoms, in any
age or country whatsoever, we shall find, that the maintenance of order,
and the care of the public good, was the original design of monarchy.
Indeed there would be no possibility of establishing order and peace, if
all men were resolved to be independent, and would not submit to an
authority which takes from them a part of their liberty, in order to
preserve the rest. Mankind must be perpetually at war, if they will always
be striving for dominion over others, or r