Category Archives: government

John Locke on Tyranny

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“199. As usurpation is the exercise of power which another hath a right to, so tyranny is the exercise of power beyond right, which nobody can have a right to; and this is making use of the power any one … Continue reading →

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Parents, Education, the Church, and the State

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“The right of the Church to have schools is entirely in concord with the right of parents to educate their children.  What is incumbent upon the parents in all questions of natural life is incumbent upon the Church with regard … Continue reading →

Posted in education, government, persecution, teaching | Leave a comment

The Politics of Deception

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“So it follows that a prudent ruler cannot, and must not, honour his word when it places him at a disadvantage and when the reasons for which he made his promise no longer exist.  If all men were good, this … Continue reading →

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Rulers Must Not Ignore History

Posted on October 27, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“He who diligently examines past events easily foresees future ones in every country and can apply to them the remedies used by the ancients or, not finding any that have been used, can devise new ones because of the similarity … Continue reading →

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Life, Liberty and Possessions

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“But though this be a state of liberty, yet it is not a state of license; though man in that state have an uncontrollable liberty to dispose of his person and possessions, yet he has not liberty to destroy himself, … Continue reading →

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Greediness Pretends to be Liberality

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“There are, though, many especially those greedy for renown and glory, who steal from one group the very money that they lavish upon another.  They think that they will appear beneficent towards their friends if they enrich them by any … Continue reading →

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Humanity, Social Life, Justice and Animals

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“A social instinct is implanted in all men by nature, and yet he who first founded the state was the greatest of benefactors.  For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristotle, government, justice | Leave a comment

Criminal gangs or kingdoms

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“Remove justice, and what are kingdoms but gangs of criminals on a large scale? What are criminal gangs but petty kingdoms? A gang is a group of men under command of a leader, bound by a compact of association, in … Continue reading →

Posted in Augustine of Hippo, government | Leave a comment

Avarice and Public Office

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“No vice, therefore, is more foul than avarice….particularly among leading men and those who control public affairs.  For to use public affairs for one’s profit is not only dishonourable, but criminal and wicked too….There is nothing by which those in … Continue reading →

Posted in avarice, Cicero, government | Leave a comment