11.4. 4. The same Subject continued.
Democratic and aristocratic states
are not in their own nature free. Political liberty is to be found only
in moderate governments; and even in these it is not always found. It is
there only when there is no abuse of power. 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. Is it not strange, though
true, to say that virtue itself has need of limits?
To prevent this abuse, it is necessary from the very nature of
things that power should be a check to power. A government may be so
constituted, as no man shall be compelled to do things to which the law
does not oblige him, nor forced to abstain from things which the law
permits.
