The king is as much bound by his oath not to infringe the…
“The king is as much bound by his oath not to infringe the legal rights of the people, as the people are bound to yield subjection to him. From whence it follows that as soon as the prince sets himself above the law, he loses the king in the tyrant. He does, to all intents and purposes, un-king himself.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A ruler must respect legal limits; if he exceeds them, he becomes a tyrant and loses legitimacy.
In simple terms: Kings must obey law or become tyrants.
Uphold law to retain rightful authority.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- government leadership
- judicial decisions
- public policy
- civil rights
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do societies enforce limits on power?
- What mechanisms prevent tyranny?
Even lawful rulers can become oppressive without checks.