Consent Quote by Algernon Sidney
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Discourses Concerning Government, 1690
Power over others is justified only by consent or force; otherwise it is illegitimate.
In simple terms: Power needs consent or force.
Key Takeaway
Seek legitimate authority.
Themes
politics
authority
legitimacy
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- government formation
- leadership decisions
- civil movements
Key Concepts
social contract
coercion
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- Is consent always possible?
- When is force justified?
A Different Perspective
Consent may be hard to obtain in practice.
![“[A]ll popular and well-mixed governments [republics] . . . are ever established by wise and good men, and can never be upheld otherwise than by virtue: The worst men always conspiring against them, they must fall, if the best have not power to preserve them. . . . [and] unless they be preserved in…” quote by Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1c1/algernon-sidney-20606_conspiring_a-ll-popular-and-well-mixed-governments_696129.jpg)
![“[L]iberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted . . .” quote by Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/65d/algernon-sidney-20606_freedom_l-iberty-cannot-be-preserved-if-the-mann_1577380.jpg)
![“[I]f vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established.” quote by Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2ef/algernon-sidney-20606_advantage_i-f-vice-and-corruption-prevail-liberty_1785566.jpg)
