Other related topics at:
Authority/Government/State
31. Authority; Corruption;
Monarchy
"Sir, you are to consider, that in our constitution, according to
its true principles, the King is the head, he is supreme: he is
above everything, and there is no power by which he can be
tried. Therefore, it is, Sir, that we hold the King can do no
wrong; that whatever may happen to be wrong in government may
not be above our reach, by being ascribed to Majesty. Redress is
always to be had against oppression, by punishing the immediate
agents. The King, though he should command, cannot force a Judge
to condemn a man unjustly; therefore it is the Judge whom we
prosecute and punish. Political institutions are formed upon the
consideration of what will frequently tend to the good of the
whole, although now and then exceptions may occur. Thus it is
better in general that a nation should have a supreme legislative
power, although it may at times be abused. And then, Sir, there
is this consideration, that if the abuse be numerous, Nature
will rise up, and claiming her original rights, overturn a
corrupt political system."
Boswell: Life
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