Arbitrary Quote by Edmund Burke
“Law and arbitrary power are at eternal enmity”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Thoughts on the French Revolution, 1790
Law and arbitrary power clash forever; authority must be restrained.
In simple terms: Law opposes unchecked power.
Guard against tyranny.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- government policy
- corporate governance
- judicial decisions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When can strong authority be necessary?
- How to detect when law becomes arbitrary?
Power can be justified under certain circumstances.