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.... he is glad to find the bad side in a man, so as to get
him in his power"; the thirst for money in Savary, the Jacobin defects
of Fouche, the vanity and sensuality of Cambaceres, the careless
cynicism and "the easy immorality" of Talleyrand, the "dry bluntness"
of Duroc, the courtier-like insipidity of Maret, "the silliness" of
Berthier; he brings this out, diverts himself with it, and profits by
it. "Where he sees no vice, he encourages weaknesses, and, in default
of anything better, he provokes fear, so that he may be ever and
continually the strongest.. ..He dreads ties of affection, and strives
to alienate people from each other.... He sells his favors only by
arousing anxiety; he thinks that the best way to attach individuals
to him is to compromise them, and often, even, to ruin them in public
opinion."--"If Caulaincourt is compromised," said he, after the murder
of the Duc d'Enghien, "it is no great matter, he will serve me all the
better."

Once that the creature is in his clutches, let him not imagine that
he can escape or withhold anything of his own accord; all that he has
belongs to him. Zeal and success in the performance of duty, punctual
obedience within limits previously designated, is not enough; behind the
functionary he claims the man. "All that may well be," he replies, to
whatever may be said in praise of him,[1260] "but he does not belong to
me as I would like."