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Civil war, in Macchiavel's account, is a disease; but tyranny is the death of a state. Gentle ways are first to be used, and it is best if the work can be done by them; but it must not be left undone, if they fail.

— Algernon Sidney Discourses Concerning Government (1689)

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More quotes by Algernon Sidney

If his Majesty is resolved to have my head, he may make a whistle of my arse if he pleases.

That which is not just, is not Law; and that which is not Law, ought not to be obeyed.

Discourses Concerning Government (1689)

God helps those who help themselves.

Discourses Concerning Government (1689)

Men lived like fishes; the great ones devoured the small.

Discourses Concerning Government (1689)

This shows that liars ought to have good memories.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Algernon Sidney (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.