Arbitrary Quote by Edmund Burke
“The power of discretionary disqualification by one law of Parliament, and the necessity of paying every debt of the Civil List by another law of Parliament, if suffered to pass unnoticed, must establish such a fund of rewards and terrors as will make Parliament the best appendage and support of arbitrary power that ever was invented by the wit of man.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Parliamentary Debate, 1770s, null
The quote warns that allowing Parliament to ignore its own financial checks creates a system where rewards and punishments can be used to enforce arbitrary authority.
In simple terms: Unchecked parliamentary power leads to arbitrary control.
Key Takeaway
Guard against hidden financial controls.
Themes
politics
power
authority
checks and balances
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- legislative reform
- budget transparency
- civil oversight
- constitutional safeguards
Key Concepts
parliamentary sovereignty
financial oversight
arbitrary rule
Questions to Reflect On
- How can financial transparency be enforced?
- What safeguards prevent abuse of reward‑punishment systems?
A Different Perspective
If other branches lack oversight, power can still become arbitrary.
