Algernon Sydney quotes

Algernon Sydney was an English politician, political theorist, and opponent of absolute monarchy. A prominent advocate of republicanism, his writings greatly influenced later democratic movements. He became a martyr for the cause of liberty after being executed for allegedly plotting against King Charles II. Here are 27 of his quotes:

Liars ought to have good memories. (Algernon Sydney)
That which is not just, is not Law; and that which is not Law, ought not to be obeyed. View quote
Algernon Sydney
If his Majesty is resolved to have my head, he may make a whistle of my arse if he pleases. View quote
Algernon Sydney
Men lived like fishes; the great ones devoured the small. View quote
Algernon Sydney
It is not necessary to light a candle to the sun. View quote
Algernon Sydney
God helps those who help themselves. View quote
Algernon Sydney
[L]iberty cannot be preserved, if the manners of the people are corrupted . . . View quote
Algernon Sydney
[I]f vice and corruption prevail, liberty cannot subsist; but if virtue have the advantage, arbitrary power cannot be established. View quote
Algernon Sydney
Laws and constitutions ought to be weighed... to constitute that which is most conducing to the establishment of justice and liberty. View quote
Algernon Sydney
Everyone sees they cannot well live asunder, nor many together, without some rule to which all must submit. View quote
Algernon Sydney
Many things are unknown to the wisest, and the best men can never wholly divest themselves of passions and affections... nothing can or ought to be permanent but that which is perfect. (Algernon Sydney)
God leaves to Man the choice of Forms in Government; and those who constitute one Form, may abrogate it. View quote
Algernon Sydney
That is the best Government, which best provides for war. View quote
Algernon Sydney
No right can come by conquest, unless there were a right of making that conquest. View quote
Algernon Sydney
There may be a hundred thousand men in an army, who are all equally free; but they only are naturally most fit to be commanders or leaders, who most excel in the virtues required for the right performance of those offices. View quote
Algernon Sydney
Such as have reason, understanding, or common sense, will, and ought to make use of it in those things that concern themselves and their posterity, and suspect the words of such as are interested in deceiving or persuading them not to see with their own eyes. View quote
Algernon Sydney
The best Governments of the World have bin composed of Monarchy, Aristocracy, and Democracy. View quote
Algernon Sydney
The general revolt of a Nation cannot be called a Rebellion. View quote
Algernon Sydney
The common Notions of Liberty are not from School Divines, but from Nature. View quote
Algernon Sydney
Few men would be so gentle as to spare even the best, if by their destruction vile usurpers could become God's anointed, and by the most execrable wickedness invest themselves with that divine character. View quote
Algernon Sydney
'Tis hard to comprehend how one man can come to be master of many, equal to himself in right, unless it be by consent or by force. (Algernon Sydney)
Who will wear a shoe that hurts him, because the shoe-maker tells him 'tis well made? View quote
Algernon Sydney
We live in an age that makes truth pass for treason, and as I dare not say anything against it, so the ears of those that are about me will probably be found too tender to hear it. This my trial and condemnation do sufficiently evidence. View quote
Algernon Sydney
I was long since told that I must die - or the plot die. And lest the means of destroying the best Protestants in England should fail, the Bench must be filled with such as had been blemished at the Bar. None but such as these would have advised with the King's Council of the means to bring a man to death: suffered a jury to be empanelled by the King's Solicitor and the Under-Sheriff: admit of jurymen who are no freeholders: receive such evidence as is above mentioned ... they assume unto themselves not only a power to make constructions, but such constructions as neither agree with law, reason nor common sense. By them and their means, I am brought unto this place. The Lord forgive their practices and avert the evils that threaten the nation from them. View quote
Algernon Sydney
I thought fit to leave this testimony to the world, that, as I had from my youth endeavored to uphold the Common rights of mankind, the lawes of this land, and the true Protestant religion, against corrupt principles, arbitrary power and Popery, I doe now willingly lay down my life for the same; and having a sure witness within me, that God doth absolve me, and uphold me, in the utmost extremityes, am very littell sollicitous, though man doth condemne me. View quote
Algernon Sydney

Algernon Sydney

Algernon Sydney - Image
Occupation: British Politician
Born: 1623
Died: December 7, 1683
Quotes count: 27
Wikipedia: Algernon Sydney

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