Marsilius of Padua Quotes
Marsilius of Padua was an Italian political philosopher and physician, one of the most original thinkers of the late Middle Ages. His Defensor Pacis, completed in 1324, constructed a sustained argument that the legislator is the people or the prevailing part thereof, and that the temporal authority of the priesthood is a usurpation that is the principal cause of civil discord. The quotes below are attributed to Marsilius of Padua, organized by topic.
Marsilius of Padua on Politics
-
Attributed to Marsilius of Padua:
“The legislator is the people, or the prevailing part thereof, by means of its election or will expressed in general convention by word.”
-
Attributed to Marsilius of Padua:
“The cause of civil discord is the temporal power claimed by the priesthood.”
-
Attributed to Marsilius of Padua:
“The end of the state is the good life of all the citizens.”
-
Attributed to Marsilius of Padua:
“A law is a coercive command directed to outward acts.”
-
Attributed to Marsilius of Padua:
“The whole body of citizens is the source of all legitimate authority.”