# CHAPTER 41 — That One’s Native Land Must Be Defended Either With Shame or With Glory, and Is Well Defended in Either Way

As was said above, the consul and the Roman army were surrounded by the Samnites, who imposed upon the Romans the most shameful conditions (that is, to put them under the yoke and to send them, disarmed, back to Rome), and for this reason, the consuls seemed dazed and the entire army was in despair. Lucius Lentulus, the Roman legate, declared that he did not believe they should avoid any opportunity to save their city; that Rome’s survival depended upon the survival of that army, and he felt it should to be saved at all costs; that one’s country is well defended in whatever way one defends it, either with shame or with glory; and that by saving this army, Rome would still have time to erase its shame, though by failing to save it, even if it perished gloriously, Rome and its liberty would be lost. Thus, his advice was followed. This approach deserves to be noted and imitated by any citizen who finds himself giving advice to his native city, because where the ultimate decision concerning the safety of one’s country is to be taken, no consideration of what is just or unjust, merciful or cruel, praiseworthy or shameful, should be permitted; on the contrary, putting aside every other reservation, one should follow in its entirety the policy that saves its life and preserves its liberty. This approach is imitated in word and deed by the French when they defend the majesty of their king and the power of their kingdom; for this reason, they hear no voice with more impatience than one which declares: ‘This policy is disgraceful for the king’; for they say that their king cannot suffer shame in any of his decisions, either in good or in adverse fortune, because if he wins or if he loses, everyone agrees it is entirely a king’s affair.