The Online Library of Liberty

But what is nature? Why is custom not natural? I greatly fear that this nature is itself only a first custom, as custom is a second nature.

Pascal, Pensées (Havet ed., 1897), I, 42.

We need not feel the truth that law is but usurpation; it was introduced without reason, it has become reasonable; it is necessary to cause it to be regarded as authentic, eternal, and to conceal the beginning of it if we do not wish it to come soon to an end.

Ibid., I, 39.

As to the late Civil Wars, ’tis pretty well known, what Notions of Government went current in those Days. When Monarchy was to be subverted, we know what was necessary to justify the Fact; and then, because it was convenient for the purpose, it was undoubtedly true in the Nature of Things, that Government had its Original from the People, and the Prince was only their Trustee. . . . This was the Doctrine that was commonly received, and the only Doctrine that relish’d in those times. But afterwards, when Monarchy took its place again,. . . .another Notion of Government came into Fashion. Then Government had its Original entirely from God, and the Prince was accountable to none but Him. . . . And now, upon another turn of things, when people have a liberty to speak out, a new Set of Notions is advanced; now Passive Obedience is all a mistake, and instead of being a duty to suffer Oppression, ’tis a Glorious Act to resist it: and instead of leaving Injuries to be redress’d by God, we have a natural right to relieve ourselves.

Th. Burnett, An Essay upon Government, p. 10.

The constitution of 1795, like all of its predecessors, is made for Man. . . . I have seen, in my time, Frenchmen, Italians, Russians, etc.; I even know, thanks to Montesquieu, that one may be a Persian: but as for Man, I declare I never met him in my life; if he exists, it is without my knowledge.

De Maistre, Oeuvres (ed. 1875), I, 68.