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BOOK II： OF THEIR MILITARY DISCIPLINE
THEY detest war as a very brutal thing； and which； to the reproach
of human nature； is more practised by men than by any sort of
beasts。 They； in opposition to the sentiments of almost all other
nations； think that there is nothing more inglorious than that
glory that is gained by war。 And therefore though they accustom
themselves daily to military exercises and the discipline of war
in which not only their men but their women likewise are trained
up； that in cases of necessity they may not be quite uselessyet
they do not rashly engage in war； unless it be either to defend
themselves； or their friends； from any unjust aggressors； or out
of good…nature or in compassion assist an oppressed nation in
shaking off the yoke of tyranny。 They indeed help their friends；
not only in defensive； but also in offensive wars； but they never
do that unless they had been consulted before the breach was made；
and being satisfied with the grounds on which they went； they had
found that all demands of reparation were rejected； so that a war
was unavoidable。 This they think to be not only just； when one
neighbor makes an inroad on another； by public order； and carry
away the spoils； but when the merchants of one country are
oppressed in another； either under pretence of some unjust laws；
or by the perverse wresting of good ones。 This they count a juster
cause of war than the other； because those injuries are done under
some color of laws。
This was the only ground of that war in which they engaged with
the Nephelogetes against the Aleopolitanes； a little before our
time； for the merchants of the former having； as they thought； met
with great injustice among the latter； which； whether it was in
itself right or wrong； drew on a terrible war； in which many of
their neighbors were engaged； and their keenness in carrying it on
being supported by their strength in maintaining it； it not only
shook some very flourishing States； and very much afflicted
others； but after a series of much mischief ended in the entire
conquest and slavery of the Aleopolitanes； who though before the
war they were in all respects much superior to the Nephelogetes；
were yet subdued； but though the Utopians had assisted them in the
war； yet they pretended to no share of the spoil。
But though they so vigorously assist their friends in obtaining
reparation for the injuries they have received in affairs of this
nature； yet if any such frauds were committed against themselves；
provided no violence was done to their persons； they would only on
their being refused satisfaction forbear trading with such a
people。 This is not because they consider their neighbors more
than their own citizens； but since their neighbors trade everyone
upon his own stock； fraud is a more sensible injury to them than
it is to the Utopians； among whom the public in such a case only
suffers。 As they expect nothing in return for the merchandise they
export but that in which they so much abound； and is of little use
to them； the loss does not much affect them； they think therefore
it would be too severe to revenge a loss attended with so little
inconvenience； either to their lives or their subsistence； with
the death of many persons； but if any of their people is either
killed or wounded wrongfully； whether it be done by public
authority or only by private men； as soon as they hear of it they
send ambassadors； and demand that the guilty persons may be
delivered up to them； and if that is denied； they declare war； but
if it be complied with； the offenders are condemned either to
death or slavery。
They would be both troubled and ashamed of a bloody victory over
their enemies； and think it would be as foolish a purchase as to
buy the most valuable goods at too high a rate。 And in no victory
do they glory so much as in that which is gained by dexterity and
good conduct； without bloodshed。 In such cases they appoint public
triumphs； and erect trophies to the honor of those who have
succeeded； for then do they reckon that a man acts suitably to his
nature when he conquers his enemy in such a way as that no other
creature but a man could be capable of； and that is by the
strength of his understanding。 Bears； lions； boars； wolves； and
dogs； and all other animals employ their bodily force one against
another； in which as many of them are superior to men； both in
strength and fierceness； so they are all subdued by his reason and
understanding。
The only design of the Utopians in war is to obtain that by force；
which if it had been granted them in time would have prevented the
war； or if that cannot be done； to take so severe a revenge on
those that have injured them that they may be terrified from doing
the like for the time to come。 By these ends they measure all
their designs； and manage them so that it is visible that the
appetite of fame or vainglory does not work so much on them as a
just care of their own security。
As soon as they declare war； they take care to have a great many
schedules； that are sealed with their common seal； affixed in the
most conspicuous places of their enemies' country。 This is carried
secretly； and done in many places all at once。 In these they
promise great rewards to such as shall kill the prince； and lesser
in proportion to such as shall kill any other persons； who are
those on whom； next to the prince himself； they cast the chief
balance of the war。 And they double the sum to him that； instead
of killing the person so marked out； shall take him alive and put
him in their hands。 They offer not only indemnity； but rewards； to
such of the persons themselves that are so marked； if they will
act against their countrymen； by this means those that are named
in their schedules become not only distrustful of their fellow…
citizens but are jealous of one another； and are much distracted
by fear and danger； for it has often fallen out that many of them；
and even the Prince himself； have been betrayed by those in whom
they have trusted most； for the rewards that the Utopians offer
are so unmeasurably great； that there is no sort of crime to which
men cannot be drawn by them。 They consider the risk that those run
who undertake such services； and offer a recompense proportioned
to the danger； not only a vast deal of gold； but great revenues in
lands； that lie among other nations that are their friends； where
they may go and enjoy them very securely； and they observe the
promises they make of this kind most religiously。
They very much approve of this way of corrupting their enemies；
though it appears to others to be base and cruel； but they look on
it as a wise course； to make an end of what would be otherwise a
long war； without so much as hazarding one battle to decide it。
They think it likewise an act of mercy and love to mankind to
prevent the great slaughter of those that must otherwise be killed
in the progress of the war； both on their own side and on that of
their enemies； by the death of a few that are most guilty； and
that in so doing they are kind even to their enemies； and pity
them no less than their own people； as knowing that the greater
part of them do not engage in the； war of their own accord； but
are driven into it by the passions of their prince。
If this method does not succeed with them； then they sow seeds of
contention among their enemies； and animate the prince's brother；
or some of the nobility； to aspire to the crown。 If they cannot
disunite them by domestic broils； then they engage their neighbors
against them； and make them set on foot some old pretensions；
which are never wanting to princes when they have occasion for
them。 These they plentifully supply with money； though but very
sparingly with any auxiliary troops： for they are so tender of
their own people； that they would not willingly exchange one of
them； even with the prince of their enemies' country。
But as they keep their gold and silver only for such an occasion；
so when that offers itself they easily part with it； since it
would be no inconvenience to them though they should reserve
nothing of it to themselves。 For besides the wealth that they have
among them at home； they have a vast treasure abroad； many nations
round about them being deep in their debt： so that they hire
soldiers from all places for carrying on their wars； but chiefly
from the Zapolets； who live 500 miles east of Utopia。 They are a
rude； wild； and fierce nation； who delight in the woods and rocks；
among which they were born and bred up。 They are hardened both
against heat； cold； and labor； and know nothing of the delicacies
of life。 They do not apply themselves to agriculture； nor do they
care either for their houses or their clothes。 Cattle is all that
they look after； and for the greatest part they live either by
hunting； or upon rapine； and are made； as it were； only for war。
They watch all opportunities of engaging in it； and very readily
embrace such as are offered them。 Great numbers of them will
frequently go out； and offer themselves for a very low pay； to
serve any that will employ them： they know none of the arts of
life； but those that lead to the taking it away； they serve those
that hire them； both with much courage and great fidelity； but
will not engage to serve for any determined time； and agree upon
such terms； that the next day they may go over to the enemies of
those whom they serve； if they offer them a greater encouragement：
and will perhaps return to them the day after that；
