Despotism

Hence it follows, that in extreme political liberty, and in absolute despotism, all ideas of honour disappear, or are confounded with others.

But opinions, worthy only of the despotism of Asia, and passions armed with power and authority, have, generally by insensible and sometimes by violent impressions on the timid credulity of men, effaced those simple ideas which perhaps constituted the first philosophy of infant society.

At this epocha began to be established the despotism of opinion, as being the only means of obtaining those benefits which the law could not procure, and of removing those evils against which the laws were no security.

But it may be objected, if sovereignty and despotism are synonimous terms, that the sovereignty of the people is also a despotism.

By referring to the English books and practices, from which it is borrowed, for its interpretation, it turns out to be synonimous with despotism.

Any government, that is its own judge of, and determines authoritatively for the people, what are its own powers over the people, is an absolute government of course.

The conclusion, therefore, is, that any government, that can, for a day, enforce its own laws, without appealing to the people, (or to a tribunal fairly representing the people,) for their consent, is, in theory, an absolute government, irresponsible to the people, and can perpetuate its power at pleasure.

it still remains unlimited despotism, as Hobbes rightly assumes.

Pray, how comes it, Hiero, if despotism is a thing so vile, and this is your verdict, that you do not rid yourself of so great an evil, and that none other, for that matter, who has once acquired it, ever yet surrendered despotic power?

Simonides, said he, this is the crowning misery of despotic power, that it cannot even be got rid of.

And favourites, mark you, who were the subject of your bitterest complaint against despotism, are not offended by old age in a ruler, and take no account of ugliness in the patron with whom they happen to be associated.