Quotes by Algernon Sidney
1622 – 1683
Algernon Sidney (1622-1683) was a radical English republican political theorist who challenged Filmer’s theory of the divine right of kings. He was executed for treason in 1683.
Presidents, Kings, Tyrants, & Despots
Algernon Sidney’s Motto was that his Hand (i.e. his pen) was an Enemy to all Tyrants (1660)
Origin of Government
Sidney argues that a People’s liberty is a gift of nature and exists prior to any government (1683)
Law
Algernon Sidney on the need for the law to be “deaf, inexorable, inflexible” and not subject to the arbitrary will of the ruler (1698)
Law
Algernon Sidney argues that a law that is not just is not a law (1683)
Class
Algernon Sidney on how the absolute state treats its people like cattle (1698)
The State
Algernon Sidney on de facto vs. de jure political power (1698)
Presidents, Kings, Tyrants, & Despots
Algernon Sidney on not unquestioningly “rendering unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s” before checking to see if they legitimately belong to Caesar (1689)