The submission of free people to the executive authority of government, is no more than a compliance with laws which they themselves have enacted.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Obedience to government is legitimate only when laws are self-enacted by the people.
- In plain terms
- Obeying laws you made yourself is true freedom.
- What can you take from it?
- Self-legislation justifies obedience.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Did I consent to these laws?
Another view
What if self-enacted laws are harmful?
More from Junius
The liberty of the press is the palladium of all the civil, political, and religious rights of an Englishman.
Permalink to quote #2 Loyalty, in the heart and understanding of an englishman, is a rational attachment to the guardian of the laws.
Permalink to quote #4 One precedent creates another. They soon accumulate and constitute law. What yesterday was fact, today is doctrine.
Permalink to quote #1
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