Full Idea
No offence can be committed against subjects by sovereigns, since they are of right permitted to do all things., and therefore offences occur only between private persons obliged by law not to harm one another.
Gist of Idea
The sovereignty has absolute power over citizens
Source
Baruch de Spinoza (Tractatus Theologico-Politicus [1670], 16.14)
Book Reference
Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Theological-Political Treatise', ed/tr. Israel,Jonathan [CUP 2007], p.203
A Reaction
This slightly alarming remark is the consequence of Spinoza's denial of natural rights. Nowadays we have international law to appeal to. Locke thinks revolution could be justified, but this implies the Spinoza does not?
Related Idea
Idea 19916 The order of nature does not prohibit anything, and allows whatever appetite produces [Spinoza]