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Darius the Great
VI. THE
RECONNOITERING OF GREECE
PREFACE.
IN describing the character and the action of the personages whose
histories form the subjects of this series, the writer makes no attempt to
darken the colors in which he depicts their deeds of violence and wrong, or to
increase, by indignant denunciations, the obloquy which heroes and conquerors
have so often brought upon themselves, in the estimation of mankind, by their
ambition, their tyranny, or their desperate and reckless crimes. In fact, it
seems desirable to diminish, rather than to increase, the spirit of
censoriousness which often leads men so harshly to condemn the errors and sins
of others, committed in circumstances of temptation to which they themselves
were never exposed. Besides, to denounce or vituperate guilt, in a narrative of
the transactions in which it was displayed, has little influence in awakening a
healthy sensitiveness in the conscience of the reader. We observe, accordingly,
that in the narratives of the sacred Scriptures, such denunciations are seldom
found. The story of Absalom's undutifulness and rebellion, of David's adultery
and murder, of Herod's tyranny, and all other narratives of crime, are related
in a calm, simple, impartial, and forbearing spirit, which leads us to condemn
the sins, but not to feel a pharisaical resentment and wrath against the
sinner.
This example, so obviously proper and right, the writer of this series
has made it his endeavor in all respects to follow.
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