Absolute power Quote by John Locke
“Whensoever, therefore, the legislative shall transgress this fundamental rule of society, and either by ambition, fear, folly, or corruption, endeavour to grasp themselves, or put into the hands of any other, an absolute power over the lives, liberties, and estates of the people, by this breach of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into the hands... and it devolves to the people, who have a right to resume their original liberty, and... provide for their own safety and security.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Second Treatise of Government, 1689
Argues that when legislators overstep, power returns to the people who must protect their liberty.
In simple terms: If rulers abuse power, people regain it to protect themselves.
Key Takeaway
Guard against tyranny and uphold liberty.
Themes
politics
freedom
government
Mood
serious
defiant
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- voting
- civil protest
- community organization
Key Concepts
social contract
legitimacy
authority
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards prevent power abuse?
- How can citizens responsibly reclaim authority?
A Different Perspective
Power vacuums can lead to chaos.
![“[A]ll power is originally vested in, and consequently derived from, the people. That government is instituted and ought to be exercised for the benefit of the people; which consists in the enjoyment of life and liberty and the right of acquiring property, and generally of pursuing and obtaining…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0a7/james-madison-373_adverse_a-ll-power-is-originally-vested-in-and-c_2491092.jpg)
![“[M]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out of the common road.” quote by John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.jpg)
![“As Israel made the wants of his national existence the law of the world, as under the dominance of these wants he deified even his political vindictiveness; so the Christian made the requirements of human feeling the absolute powers and laws of the world. [T]hat is, indeed, only of man considered…” quote by Ludwig Feuerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dd1/ludwig-feuerbach-3406_abrahamism_as-israel-made-the-wants-of-his-national_31284.jpg)
