But as ability is a vigorous and active principle, and as property is sluggish, inert, and timid, it never can be safe from the invasions of ability, unless it be, out of all proportion, predominant in the representation.
Continuing his argument on political representation, Burke explains why property needs disproportionate power to protect itself from the more active principle of ability.
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The ceremony of cashiering kings, of which these gentlemen talk so much at their ease, can rarely, if ever, be performed without force.
Their objects would be enlarged with their elevation; but their disposition, and habits, and mode of accomplishing their designs must remain the same.
An irregular, convulsive movement may be necessary to throw off an irregular, convulsive disease.
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