Fundamental law and ancient usage, as well as the clear reason of the thing, have always ordained it during an imprisonment of the king of France: as in the case of John, and of Francis the First.
Burke emphasizes the importance of established laws and customs in determining governance during a king's imprisonment.
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It is the greatest of all possible evils; for it is folly, vice, and madness, without tuition or restraint.
But to form a free government, that is, to temper together these opposite elements of liberty and restraint in one consistent work, requires much thought, deep reflection, a sagacious, powerful, and combining mind.
Let us imitate their caution, if we wish to deserve their fortune or to retain their bequests.
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