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IN SENATUM BONI
principis.
On the senate of a good prince
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Effigies manibus trunce ante altaria Divum,
Hic resident, quarum lumine capta prior.
Signa potestatis summae sanctique senatus,
Thebanis fuerant ista reperta viris.[1]
Cur resident? quia mente graves decet esse quieta,
Iuridicos animo ne [=nec]
variare levi.
Cur sine sunt manibus? capiant ne xaenia, nec se
Pollicitis flecti muneribusve sinant.
Caecus at est princeps, quod solis auribus, absque
Affectu constans iussa senatus agit.
Figures without hands sit here before the altars of the gods. The chief of them is deprived of sight. These symbols of the supreme power and of the reverend senate were discovered by men of Thebes. - Why do they sit? - Because lawgivers should be serious, of a calm mind, and not change with inconstant thoughts. - Why have they no hands? - So that they may not take gifts, nor let themselves be influenced by promises or bribes. But the president is blind, because the Senate, by hearing alone, uninfluenced by feeling, impartially discharges what it is bidden to do.
1. This is Thebes in Egypt. See Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride 10; also Erasmus, Adagia 2601, Scarabaeus aquilam quaerit.
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- sitting on an elevation [31A2352] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm stretched forward [31A2512] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm or hand held in front of the body [31A2516] Search | Browse Iconclass
- arm or hand held in front of the body (+ holding something) [31A2516(+933)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- blind, blindness [31A41110] Search | Browse Iconclass
- mutilated person [31A419:31A2245] Search | Browse Iconclass
- 'Acheiroi', i.e. creatures without hands [31A4414] Search | Browse Iconclass
- beard [31A534] Search | Browse Iconclass
- adult man (+ three persons) [31D14(+73)] Search | Browse Iconclass
- ruler, sovereign [44B1] Search | Browse Iconclass
- throne-room [44B1211] Search | Browse Iconclass
- ruler with counsellor(s) [44B1240] Search | Browse Iconclass
- crown (symbol of sovereignty) [44B191] Search | Browse Iconclass
- sceptre, staff (symbol of sovereignty) [44B192] Search | Browse Iconclass
- mantle, gown, dress (symbol of sovereignty) [44B197] Search | Browse Iconclass
- allegory, personification of good government [44B610] Search | Browse Iconclass
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- altar ~ non-Christian religions [12B62] Search | Browse Iconclass
- national government [44B21] Search | Browse Iconclass
- Upper House, Senate [44B511] Search | Browse Iconclass
- bribery [46B911] Search | Browse Iconclass
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