Monday, April 5, 2021

day no. 15,505 continued... accredited cruelty and unaccredited competency

"I had rather that a thief should feed me than a shepherd devour me." -- Junius Brutus, Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos

The title of tyrant can rightly be applied, according to Vindiciae, in circumstances where one obtains the office through unceremonious means or where one executes the office unceremoniously after going through the proper ceremonies.  However, it is better to be ruled well by one who became Ruler unlawfully than it is to be abused by a lawful Ruler. Of course, the ideal prince is one who secures his position rightfully and keeps his oath of office just as righteously, but the choice between accredited cruelty and an unaccredited competency should be obvious although the thief in question ought to be made to promise to continue to do should the opportunity avail itself or if the governed should be able to prevail it upon him.

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