_Aristotle’s_ Definition of a _Tyrant_.
There was so great Offence taken at the Definition of a _Tyrant_ in
_Aristotle_’s _Politicks_, that all the Governors under the Cope of
Heaven, found themselves Touch’d in the Reflexion: Insomuch that they all
Met in a General Council, to take the Matter into Consideration. _Those
Princes_ (says _Aristotle_) _are_ Tyrants, _that intend their own Good,
more then that of their Subjects_. The Princes were so Nettled at the
Scandal of this Affront, that every Man took it to Himself; for according
to that Doctrin, all the Governors upon the Face of the Earth from _Adam_
to this Day, have been no better then Downright _Tyrants_. The Council
was once Thinking to put _Aristotle_ to Extremities: but imputing it
rather to the Natural Sawciness of a _Pedant_, (for there’s no _Grammar_
for _Politicks_,) then to any _Malice Prepense_, they made him Eat his
Words, and Expound Himself; that what he said of _Tyrants_, was only
meant of _a sort of Persecutors of Old Time, that have been now long
since Extinct_.
The MORAL.
_In all General Characters of Bad Men, whether Princes, Publick
Ministers, or Private Persons, Care should be taken not to Involve the
Good under the same Scandal and Condemnation. There are some Principles
and Methods of Government, wherein the Best and the Worst of Princes may
Agree; but then there are certain Perverse Notions of the Thing, and
Corrupt Practices, that can hardly be Touch’d upon, without Engaging all
Crown’d Heads in the Reproche: And ’tis Dangerous Skewing upon the Errors
of the Age a Man lives in._