Of the Independency of Parliament

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Of the Independency of Parliament by David Hume, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: David Hume ISBN: 9781465501455
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: David Hume
ISBN: 9781465501455
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
POLITICAL writers have established it as a maxim, that, in contriving any system of government, and fixing the several checks and controuls of the constitution, every man ought to be supposed a knave, and to have no other end, in all his actions, than private interest. By this interest we must govern him, and, by means of it, make him, notwithstanding his insatiable avarice and ambition, co-operate to public good. Without this, say they, we shall in vain boast of the advantages of any constitution, and shall find, in the end, that we have no security for our liberties or possessions, except the good-will of our rulers; that is, we shall have no security at all. It is, therefore, a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave: Though at the same time, it appears somewhat strange, that a maxim should be true in politics, which is false in fact. But to satisfy us on this head, we may consider, that men are generally more honest in their private than in their public capacity, and will go greater lengths to serve a party, than when their own private interest is alone concerned. Honour is a great check upon mankind: But where a considerable body of men act together, this check is, in a great measure, removed; since a man is sure to be approved of by his own party, for what promotes the common interest; and he soon learns to despise the clamours of adversaries. To which we may add, that every court or senate is determined by the greater number of voices; so that, if self-interest influences only the majority, (as it will always do) the whole senate follows the allurements of this separate interest, and acts as if it contained not one member, who had any regard to public interest and liberty.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
POLITICAL writers have established it as a maxim, that, in contriving any system of government, and fixing the several checks and controuls of the constitution, every man ought to be supposed a knave, and to have no other end, in all his actions, than private interest. By this interest we must govern him, and, by means of it, make him, notwithstanding his insatiable avarice and ambition, co-operate to public good. Without this, say they, we shall in vain boast of the advantages of any constitution, and shall find, in the end, that we have no security for our liberties or possessions, except the good-will of our rulers; that is, we shall have no security at all. It is, therefore, a just political maxim, that every man must be supposed a knave: Though at the same time, it appears somewhat strange, that a maxim should be true in politics, which is false in fact. But to satisfy us on this head, we may consider, that men are generally more honest in their private than in their public capacity, and will go greater lengths to serve a party, than when their own private interest is alone concerned. Honour is a great check upon mankind: But where a considerable body of men act together, this check is, in a great measure, removed; since a man is sure to be approved of by his own party, for what promotes the common interest; and he soon learns to despise the clamours of adversaries. To which we may add, that every court or senate is determined by the greater number of voices; so that, if self-interest influences only the majority, (as it will always do) the whole senate follows the allurements of this separate interest, and acts as if it contained not one member, who had any regard to public interest and liberty.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age: Prolegomena, Achaeis or the Ethnology of the Greek Races, Olympus, Agore, Ilios, Thalassa, Aoidos (Complete) by David Hume
Cover of the book Non Dir Quattro Se Non L'Hai Nel Sacco: Commedia in Un Atto by David Hume
Cover of the book Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White - Volume 1 by David Hume
Cover of the book Facing the Mob, a Complete Novelette by David Hume
Cover of the book By the Sea and Other Verses by David Hume
Cover of the book Digby Heathcote: The Early Days of a Country Gentleman's Son and Heir by David Hume
Cover of the book La Morte Amoureuse by David Hume
Cover of the book The Naval Pioneers of Australia by David Hume
Cover of the book Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Kansas Narratives by David Hume
Cover of the book Henry of Monmouth, Memoirs of Henry the Fifth (Complete) by David Hume
Cover of the book La Vérité en Marche: L'affaire Dreyfus by David Hume
Cover of the book Marmaduke Merry: A Tale of Naval Adventures in Bygone Days by David Hume
Cover of the book Twilight and Dawn Simple Talks on the Six Days of Creation by David Hume
Cover of the book The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke (Complete) by David Hume
Cover of the book The World Before Them: A Novel (Complete) by David Hume
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy