§6.23.1Civitatibus maxima laus est quam latissime circum se vastatis finibus solitudines habere.
For states, it is the greatest glory to have wildernesses around them by laying waste their borders as widely as possible.
§6.23.2Hoc proprium virtutis existimant, expulsos agris finitimos cedere, neque quemquam prope audere consistere:
They consider this a proof of valor, that their neighbors, driven from their lands, retreat, and that no one dares to settle near them.
§6.23.3simul hoc se fore tutiores arbitrantur repentinae incursionis timore sublato.
At the same time, they think that they will be safer by this, the fear of sudden invasion being removed.
§6.23.4Cum bellum civitas aut inlatum defendit aut infert, magistratus, qui ei bello praesint, ut vitae necisque habeant potestatem, deliguntur.
When a state wards off a war waged against it or wages one itself, magistrates are chosen to preside over that war, so as to have power of life and death.
§6.23.5In pace nullus est communis magistratus, sed principes regionum atque pagorum inter suos ius dicunt controversiasque minuunt.
In peace there is no common magistrate, but the chiefs of the regions and cantons administer justice among their own people and settle disputes.
§6.23.6Latrocinia nullam habent infamiam, quae extra fines cuiusque civitatis fiunt, atque ea iuventutis exercendae ac desidiae minuendae causa fieri praedicant.
Robberies committed outside the boundaries of each state bring no disgrace, and they declare that these are done for the sake of training the youth and reducing idleness.
§6.23.7Atque ubi quis ex principibus in concilio dixit se ducem fore, qui sequi velint, profiteantur, consurgunt ei qui et causam et hominem probant suumque auxilium pollicentur atque ab multitudine collaudantur:
And when any of the chiefs has said in assembly that he will be the leader, and that those who wish to follow should declare themselves, those who approve both the cause and the man rise up, promise their assistance, and are applauded by the crowd.
§6.23.8qui ex his secuti non sunt, in desertorum ac proditorum numero ducuntur, omniumque his rerum postea fides derogatur.
Those of these who did not follow are considered in the number of deserters and traitors, and afterward trust in all matters is withdrawn from them.
§6.23.9Hospitem violare fas non putant; qui quacumque de causa ad eos venerunt, ab iniuria prohibent, sanctos habent, hisque omnium domus patent victusque communicatur.
They do not think it right to violate a guest; those who have come to them for whatever reason they protect from injury, hold sacred, and to them the houses of all are open and food is shared.