The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Arbitrary power is most easily established on the ruins of liberty abused to licentiousness.
The disposition of all power is to abuses, nor does it at all mend the matter that its possessors are a majority.
Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who posses it; and this I know, my lords: that where law ends, tyranny begins.
All too often arrogance accompanies strength, and we must never assume that justice is on the side of the strong. The use of power must always be accompanied by moral choice.
The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant.
Arbitrary power is like most other things which are very hard, very liable to be broken.
But constant experience shows us that every man invested with power is apt to abuse it, and to carry his authority as far as it will go.
I repeat... that all power is a trust; that we are accountable for its exercise; that from the people and for the people all springs, and all must exist.
Justice and power must be brought together, so that whatever is just may be powerful, and whatever is powerful may be just.
Where an excess of power prevails, property of no sort is duly respected. No man is safe in his opinions, his person, his faculties, or his possessions.