Historical voices

The trade of courts is beginning to be understood, and the affectation of mystery, with all the artificial sorcery by which they imposed upon mankind, is on the decline.

It shows that man, were he not corrupted by governments, is naturally the friend of man, and that human nature is not of itself vicious.

As the barbarism of the present old governments expires, the moral conditions of nations with respect to each other will be changed.

There is a morning of reason rising upon man on the subject of government, that has not appeared before.

The best constitution that could now be devised, consistent with the condition of the present moment, may be far short of that excellence which a few years may afford.

That which is worth following, will be followed for the sake of its worth, and it is in this that its security lies, and not in any conditions with which it may be encumbered.

The Rights of Man are the rights of all generations of men, and cannot be monopolised by any.

While the enemy of liberty was its judge, the progress of its principles must have been small indeed.

Hitherto it has been the mere exercise of power, which forbade all effectual enquiry into rights, and grounded itself wholly on possession.

To conclude this part of the subject:--One of the greatest improvements that have been made for the perpetual security and progress of constitutional liberty, is the provision which the new constitutions make for occasionally revising…

Make government what it ought to be, and it will support itself.

If a government requires the support of oaths, it is a sign that it is not worth supporting, and ought not to be supported.

But whatever apology may be made for oaths at the first establishment of a government, they ought not to be permitted afterwards.

The happiness of a nation is the superior object, and therefore the intention of an oath of allegiance ought not to be obscured by being figuratively taken, to, or in the name of, any person.

The putting any individual as a figure for a nation is improper.

It is inconsistent to pay the one, and accept the service of the other gratis.

A nation can have no right to the time and services of any person at his own expense, whom it may choose to employ or entrust in any department whatever; neither can any reason be given for making provision for the support of any one part…

The sovereign authority in any country is the power of making laws, and everything else is an official department.

A foreigner cannot be a member of Parliament, but he may be what is called a king.

The presidency in America (or, as it is sometimes called, the executive) is the only office from which a foreigner is excluded, and in England it is the only one to which he is admitted.

He is never in full natural or political connection with the country, is not responsible for anything, and becomes of age at eighteen years; yet such a person is permitted to form foreign alliances, without even the knowledge of the…

As the principle on which constitutions are now formed rejects all hereditary pretensions to government, it also rejects all that catalogue of assumptions known by the name of prerogatives.

By admitting a participation of the spoil, it makes itself friends; and when it ceases to do this it will cease to be the idol of courtiers.

It is the master-fraud, which shelters all others.