--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Arbitrary power is most easily…" description: "\"Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.\" — George Washington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d21/george-washington-257_arbitrary_arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-establish_674045.jpg" --- # Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of… ![“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.” quote by George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d21/george-washington-257_arbitrary_arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-establish_674045.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d21/george-washington-257_arbitrary_arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-establish_674045.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d21/george-washington-257_arbitrary_arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-establish_674045.jpg) > “Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.” [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power often arises when liberty is eroded and moral boundaries are ignored, leading to unchecked authority. **In simple terms:** Power grows when freedom is abused. Key Takeaway Guard liberty to prevent tyranny. Themes politics ethics authority liberty Mood serious thoughtful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - government policy - civil rights debates - community governance Key Concepts abuse of freedom authoritarianism social decay Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards can prevent power abuse? - How can societies balance liberty and order? A Different Perspective Not all restrictions are negative; some protect rights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abused Licentiousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abused-licentiousness-5345299/) [Arbitrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/) [Arbitrary power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary-power/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Liberty Abused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-abused-1824759/) [Ruins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruins/) [Ruins Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruins-liberty-3767887/) ## Related quotes > [“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.”—George Washington.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rudomanski/arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-established-on-the-ruins-of-liberty-2/) [Richard Rudomanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rudomanski/) > [If vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/if-vice-and-corruption-prevail-liberty-cannot-subsist-but-if-virtue/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [It is true, indeed, that the national domain is ours. It is true it was acquired by the valor and with the wealth of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-seward/it-is-true-indeed-that-the-national-domain-is-ours-it-is-true-it-was/) [William H. Seward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-seward/) > [Law and arbitrary power are at eternal enmity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/law-and-arbitrary-power-are-at-eternal-enmity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [ \[I\]f vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/algernon-sidney/i-f-vice-and-corruption-prevail-liberty-cannot-subsist-but-if-virtue/) [Algernon Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/algernon-sidney/) > [“...The arbitrary power of the Government is unlimited, and unexampled in history; freedom of the Press, of opinion and of movement are as thoroughly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-arbitrary-power-of-the-government-is-unlimited-and-unexampled-in/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abigail-adams/arbitrary-power-is-like-most-other-things-which-are-very-hard-very/) [Abigail Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abigail-adams/) > [Freedom under law is hard work. If rulers cannot be trusted with arbitrary power, it is up to citizens to raise their voices at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-lewis/freedom-under-law-is-hard-work-if-rulers-cannot-be-trusted-with/) [Anthony Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-lewis/) > [There can be no greater stretch of arbitrary power than is required to seize children from their parents, teach them whatever the authorities decree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-paterson/there-can-be-no-greater-stretch-of-arbitrary-power-than-is-required/) [Isabel Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-paterson/) > [Arbitrary power has seldom... been introduced in any country at once. It must be introduced by slow degrees, and as it were step by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/arbitrary-power-has-seldom-been-introduced-in-any-country-at-once-it/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Arbitrary power is the natural object of temptation to a prince, as wine and women to a young fellow, or a bribe to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/arbitrary-power-is-the-natural-object-of-temptation-to-a-prince-as/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Liberty must not be abused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louisa-may-alcott/liberty-must-not-be-abused/) [Louisa May Alcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louisa-may-alcott/) > [“There can be no greater stretch of arbitrary power than to seize children from their parents, teach them whatever the authorities decree they shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-paterson/there-can-be-no-greater-stretch-of-arbitrary-power-than-to-seize/) [Isabel Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-paterson/) > [Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/nip-the-shoots-of-arbitrary-power-in-the-bud-is-the-only-maxim-which-2/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [The most insupportable of tyrants exclaim against the exercise of arbitrary power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-l-estrange/the-most-insupportable-of-tyrants-exclaim-against-the-exercise-of/) [Roger L'Estrange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-l-estrange/) ## More by George Washington > [It is absolutely necessary... for me to have persons that can think for me, as well as execute orders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-absolutely-necessary-for-me-to-have-persons-that-can-think-for/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The whole duty of man is summed up in obedience to God's will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-whole-duty-of-man-is-summed-up-in-obedience-to-god-s-will/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The turning points of lives are not the great moments. The real crises are often concealed in occurrences so trivial in appearance that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-turning-points-of-lives-are-not-the-great-moments-the-real-crises/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-propitious-smiles-of-heaven-can-never-be-expected-on-a-nation/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Interwoven as is the love of liberty with every ligament of your hearts, no recommendation of mine is necessary to fortify or confirm the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/interwoven-as-is-the-love-of-liberty-with-every-ligament-of-your/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/in-vain-would-that-man-claim-the-tribute-of-patriotism-who-should/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institution may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-blessed-religion-revealed-in-the-word-of-god-will-remain-an/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [While we are contending for our own liberty, we should be very cautious not to violate the conscience of others, ever considering that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/while-we-are-contending-for-our-own-liberty-we-should-be-very/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Among many other weighty objections to the Measure, it has been suggested, that it has a tendency to introduce religious disputes into the Army,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/among-many-other-weighty-objections-to-the-measure-it-has-been/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Democratical States must always feel before they can see: it is this that makes their Governments slow, but the people will be right at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/democratical-states-must-always-feel-before-they-can-see-it-is-this/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/if-in-the-opinion-of-the-people-the-distribution-or-modification-of/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [A man's intentions should be allowed in some respects to plead for his actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/a-man-s-intentions-should-be-allowed-in-some-respects-to-plead-for/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Do not ever let anyone claim to be a true American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-impossible-to-rightly-govern-the-world-without-god-and-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [My first wish is to see this plague of mankind banished from the earth, and the sons and daughters of this world employed in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/my-first-wish-is-to-see-this-plague-of-mankind-banished-from-the/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Lenity will operate with greater force, in some instances, than rigor. It is, therefore, my first wish, to have my whole conduct distinguished by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/lenity-will-operate-with-greater-force-in-some-instances-than-rigor/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) [Explore all 801 George Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) ## More Arbitrary quotes > [It is irresponsible to set an arbitrary cap on how much therapy a Medicare beneficiary can receive. It ignores the health needs of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ensign/it-is-irresponsible-to-set-an-arbitrary-cap-on-how-much-therapy-a/) [John Ensign](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ensign/) > [I do think that theater is a great venue for science fiction, and not just adaptations but also original work. I also think some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-einhorn/i-do-think-that-theater-is-a-great-venue-for-science-fiction-and-not/) [Edward Einhorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-einhorn/) > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [Not to be offensive, not to be capricious, not to be arbitrary, not to be neurotic, not to be an actor outer, you're just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hurt/not-to-be-offensive-not-to-be-capricious-not-to-be-arbitrary-not-to/) [William Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hurt/) > [I don't concern myself with thinking ahead to the finished product. I focus more specifically on what the character is experiencing. Once you relieve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-eisenberg/i-don-t-concern-myself-with-thinking-ahead-to-the-finished-product-i/) [Jesse Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-eisenberg/) > [Habit is altogether too arbitrary a master for me to submit to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-kaspar-lavater/habit-is-altogether-too-arbitrary-a-master-for-me-to-submit-to/) [Johann Kaspar Lavater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-kaspar-lavater/) > [I look back, now, and I know that the naming moment, which seemed so insignificant then, which seemed to demand no more than an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-david-roberts/i-look-back-now-and-i-know-that-the-naming-moment-which-seemed-so/) [Gregory David Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-david-roberts/) > [Police in China can do whatever they want; after 81 days in arbitrary detention you clearly realise that they don't have to obey their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/police-in-china-can-do-whatever-they-want-after-81-days-in-arbitrary/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) > [Contrary to what certain governments say, human rights are universal. Arbitrary detention, torture and discrimination hurt the human dignity of anybody, whatever his or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/contrary-to-what-certain-governments-say-human-rights-are-universal/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [What causes adolescents to rebel is not the assertion of authority but the arbitrary use of power, with little explanation of the rules and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-steinberg/what-causes-adolescents-to-rebel-is-not-the-assertion-of-authority/) [Laurence Steinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-steinberg/) > [There is something on earth greater than arbitrary or despotic power. The lightning has its power, and the whirlwind has its power, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-webster/there-is-something-on-earth-greater-than-arbitrary-or-despotic-power/) [Daniel Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-webster/) > [“nothing is arbitrary in this whole world, there is a good reason behind each and everything…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-kumar/nothing-is-arbitrary-in-this-whole-world-there-is-a-good-reason/) [Nikhil Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-kumar/) > [Fundamentally, adopting rules without any estimate of the impact is the height of arbitrary decision-making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-o-rielly/fundamentally-adopting-rules-without-any-estimate-of-the-impact-is/) [Michael O'Rielly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-o-rielly/) > [No arbitrary regulation, no act of the legislature, can add anything to the capital of the country; it can only force it into artificial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ramsay-mcculloch/no-arbitrary-regulation-no-act-of-the-legislature-can-add-anything-to/) [John Ramsay McCulloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ramsay-mcculloch/) > [But the desire of obtaining the advantages, and of escaping the burthens, of political society, is a perpetual and inexhaustible source of discord; nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/but-the-desire-of-obtaining-the-advantages-and-of-escaping-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) [Browse all 529 Arbitrary quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arbitrary/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "George Washington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-established-on-the-ruins-of-liberty/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arbitrary" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-established-on-the-ruins-of-liberty/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d21/george-washington-257_arbitrary_arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-establish_674045.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d21/george-washington-257_arbitrary_arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-establish_674045.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d21/george-washington-257_arbitrary_arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-establish_674045.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.” — George Washington", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "George Washington", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Arbitrary power is most easily established...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-established-on-the-ruins-of-liberty/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/arbitrary-power-is-most-easily-established-on-the-ruins-of-liberty/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```