A statement which, for all its apparent conservatism, is more radical in its humanism, its freeing of the individual, than any I’ve yet seen written.
For the alternative is the rule of men is the rule of whimsy. The rule of law is one that even a pauper may question a prince, wherein the lowliest serf might question the King.
What I love so much about that quote is its common sense approach to the “improvability” of mankind. Jefferson believed in the perfectability of man – Adams was more cynical. Knew that “passion for power was ungovernable”.
The best example of all of this is that the articles of impeachment were already written when George Washington first took the oath of office.
They knew – even with good intentions – that men cannot be trusted. But laws can.
A statement which, for all its apparent conservatism, is more radical in its humanism, its freeing of the individual, than any I’ve yet seen written.
For the alternative is the rule of men is the rule of whimsy. The rule of law is one that even a pauper may question a prince, wherein the lowliest serf might question the King.
Dean –
What I love so much about that quote is its common sense approach to the “improvability” of mankind. Jefferson believed in the perfectability of man – Adams was more cynical. Knew that “passion for power was ungovernable”.
The best example of all of this is that the articles of impeachment were already written when George Washington first took the oath of office.
They knew – even with good intentions – that men cannot be trusted. But laws can.
So when Shakespeare wrote, “the law is an ass,” was he merely being an ass?
I defy the laws on the speed limit every day. Yet I fear the rule of anything but the written law.
Am I a hypcrite? I’m not sure.