On the record
Montesquieu came to praise the British constitution at a time when good men were aghast at its perversion.
Said by
Harold J. Laski
Source
gutenberg.orgHarold J. Laski: “Montesquieu came to praise the British constitution at a time when good men were aghast at its perversion.”
Editor's note · Context
This passage highlights Montesquieu's praise for the British constitution during a time of political turmoil.
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More from Harold J. Laski
The essence of the persecuting position is always that the persecutor has hold of truth and that he would betray its service by allowing it to be questioned.
He is able, accordingly, to indulge in the twofold luxury not only of preserving his own authority, but also of assisting the persons attacked to enter, if they so choose, the way of truth.
Ultimately, that denial is always made upon the same ground: it is insisted that the doctrines or practices attacked are subversive of the civil order.
It has been the historic character of persecution always to degrade the persecutor and to strengthen the persecuted by drawing attention to their claims.
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