John Milton Quotes
Let this stand then as a settled maxim of the law of nature, never to be shaken by any artifices of flatterers, that the senate, or the people, are superior to kings, be they good or bad: which is but what you yourself do in effect confess when you tell us that the authority of kings was derived from the people. For that power which they transferred to princes doth yet naturally, or, as I may say, virtually, reside in themselves notwithstanding.
John Milton, 1608-1674, English Writer, Defense of the People of England
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
He was stating the major objections that were given by many of the royalty and the upper class who opposed universal suffrage. Milton however supported the right of all men to vote. See {632509}. Even in the 21st century, there are right wingers who oppose universal suffrage on the grounds that the lower classes vote only concerned by what they materially will obtain, as if many people of all classes do not do that and that all poor do. For additional reasons see {632533}.
He was stating the major objections that were given by many of the royalty and the upper class who opposed universal suffrage. For additional reasons see {632532}. Milton however supported the right of all men to vote. See {632509}.
John Milton was an English poet and intellectual who served as a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State and later under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote at a time of religious shifts and political instability, and is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost (1667). Written in blank verse, Paradise Lost is widely considered to be one of the greatest works of literature ever written.
