ling of security gained by repeated victories, are not to be
counteracted by things of no real moment, dismayed by empty terrors,
or quelled by a solitary mishap. As was well seen when the two Manlii,
being consuls in command against the Volscians, rashly allowed a part of
their army to go out foraging, and both those who went out and those who
stayed behind found themselves attacked at the same moment For from this
danger they were saved by the courage of the soldiers, and not by the
foresight of the consuls. With regard to which occurrence Titus Livius
observes, "_Even without a leader the steadfast valour of the soldiers
was maintained._"

Here I must not omit to notice the device practised by Fabius to give
his army confidence, when he led it for the first time into Etruria. For
judging such encouragement to be especially needed by his men, since
they were entering an unknown country to encounter a new foe, he
addressed them before they joined battle, and, after reciting many
reasons for expecting a victory, told them, that "_he could have
mentioned other favourable circumstances making victory certain, had
it not been dangerous to disclose them._" And as this device was
dexterously used it merits imitation.

CHAPTER XXXIV.--_By what reports, rumours, or surmises the Citizens of
a Republic are led to favour a Fellow-citizen: and-whether the
Magistracies are bestowed with better judgment by a People or by a
Prince._

I have elsewhere related how Titus Manlius, afterwards named Torquatus,
rescued his father from the charge laid against him by Marcus Pomponius,
tribune of the people. And though the means he took to effect this were
somewhat violent and irregular, so pleasing to everyone were his filial
piety and affection, that not only did he escape rebuke, but when
military tribunes had to be appointed his name was second on the list of
those chosen. To explain his good fortune, it will, I think, be useful
to consider what are the methods followed by the citizens of a republic
in estimating the character of those on whom they bestow honours, so as
to see whether what I have already said on this head be true, namely,
that a people is more discriminating in awarding honours than a prince.

I say, then, that in conferring honours and offices, the people, when it
has no knowledge of a man from his public career, follows the estimate
given of him by the general voice, and by common report; or else is
guided by som