The History of Political Literature, from the Earliest Times, Volume 1 |
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abstract ages ancient archbishop Aristotle assemblies authority became bishop Bishop of Rome called Canon law Capitularies character Charlemagne charter chief christian Chronicles church Cicero cities citizens civil considered Constantine constitution Crusades decemviri direct divine doctrines duties ecclesiastical Emperor enactments England entire Europe feelings feudal form of government fourteenth century France Grecian Greece happiness historians honour human important influence institutions interest Italy justice Justinian kind king kingdom knowledge labours Lactantius land legislation liberty likewise lord Maimonides mankind matters maxims ment mind mode monarchy moral nature opinion Pandects period person Petrarch philosophy Plato political literature political science political speculation political writers politicians Pope possession princes principles privileges reign religious remarks Roman Rome Saxon says Senate sentiments slaves social society Spain spirit Tertullian theological thing tion treatise truth Twelve Tables usury William the Conqueror
Popular passages
Page 316 - in the beginnings," but "in the beginning" God created the heavens and the earth. Indeed we declare, announce, and define that it is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman pontiff.
Page 371 - A PARISH priest was of the pilgrim train ; An awful, reverend, and religious man, His eyes diffused a venerable grace, And charity itself was in his face.
Page 189 - Adam's children, being not presently as soon as born under this law of reason, were not presently free; for law, in its true notion, is not so much the limitation as the direction of a free and intelligent agent to his proper interest, and prescribes no farther than is for the general good of those under that law. Could they be happier without it, the law, as a useless thing, would of itself vanish; and that ill deserves the name of confinement which hedges us in only from bogs and precipices.
Page 373 - His preaching much, but more his practice wrought; (A living sermon of the truths he taught); For this by rules severe his life he squared, That all might see the doctrine which they heard.
Page 373 - Wide was his parish ; not contracted close In streets, but here and there a straggling house ; Yet still he was at hand, without request, To serve the sick, to succour the distressed: Tempting, on foot, alone, without affright, The dangers of a dark tempestuous night.
Page 444 - I should find it difficult to resist the conclusion, that however the labourer has derived benefit from the cheapness of manufactured commodities, and from many inventions of common utility, he is much inferior in ability to support a family, to his ancestors three or four centuries ago.
Page 252 - It was a breach of faith to divulge the lord's counsel, to conceal from him the machinations of others, to injure his person or fortune, or to violate the sanctity of his roof and the honour of his family. In battle he was bound to lend his horse to his lord when dismounted; to adhere to his side while fighting, and to go into captivity as a hostage for him when taken.
Page 244 - ... distinguished in the transactions of that time are not easily determined at present. Yet if we bring these ungrateful suspicions to the test, they prove destitute of all reasonable foundation. An equal distribution of civil rights to all classes of freemen forms the peculiar beauty of the charter. In this just solicitude for the people, and in the moderation which infringed upon no essential prerogative of the monarchy, we may perceive a liberality and patriotism very unlike the selfishness which...
Page 372 - He bore his great commission in his look: But sweetly tempered awe; and softened all he spoke. He preached the joys of heaven, and pains of hell: And warned the sinner with becoming zeal, But on eternal mercy loved to dwell. He taught the gospel rather than the law; And forced himself to drive; but loved to draw.
Page 252 - ... devotedness of the vassal towards his lord. In performing homage, his head was uncovered, his belt ungirt, his sword and spurs removed ; he placed his hands, kneeling, between those of the lord, and promised to become his man from thenceforward ; to serve him with life and limb and worldly honour, faithfully and loyally, in consideration of the lands which he held under him.