Algernon Sidney

The best Governments of the World have bin composed of Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy.

A general presumption that Icings will govern well, is not a sufficient security to the People... those who subjected themselves to the will of a man were governed by a beast.

Everyone sees they cannot well live asunder, nor many together, without some rule to which all must submit.

God leaves to Man the choice of Forms in Government; and those who constitute one Form, may abrogate it.

Who will wear a shoe that hurts him, because the shoe-maker tells him 'tis well made?

All the nations they had to deal with, had the same fate.

The truth is, man is hereunto led by reason which is his nature.

That is the best Government, which best provides for war.

This submission is a restraint of liberty, but could be of no effect as to the good intended, unless it were general; nor general, unless it were natural.

There may be a hundred thousand men in an army, who are all equally free; but they only are naturally most fit to be commanders or leaders, who most excel in the virtues required for the right performance of those offices.

Such as have reason, understanding, or common sense, will, and ought to make use of it in those things that concern themselves and their posterity, and suspect the words of such as are interested in deceiving or persuading them not to see with their own eyes.

Fruits are always of the same nature with the seeds and roots from which they come, and trees are known by the fruits they bear: as a man begets a man, and a beast a beast, that society of men which constitutes a government upon the foundation of justice.

The general revolt of a Nation cannot be called a Rebellion.

To depend upon the Will of a Man is Slavery.

Liberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted.

Many things are unknown to the wisest, and the best men can never wholly divest themselves of passions and affections... nothing can or ought to be permanent but that which is perfect.

The common Notions of Liberty are not from School Divines, but from Nature.

No right can come by conquest, unless there were a right of making that conquest.

If vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established.

'Tis hard to comprehend how one man can come to be master of many, equal to himself in right, unless it be by consent or by force.