Friedrich August von Hayek, (1899-1992), Nobel Laureate of Economic Sciences 1974 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Friedrich August von Hayek Quote “[I]t is not the source but the limitation of power which prevents it from being arbitrary.”Friedrich August von Hayek ~ Friedrich August von Hayek (1899-1992), Nobel Laureate of Economic Sciences 1974The Road to Serfdom (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1944), p. 71. Constitution , Power Ratings and Comments 1Reply Ken, Allyn, WA 8/28/06 The "limitation: simply controls the damage that can be caused from the arbitrary use of power. The arbitrary use of power does not come from the source either. It comes from the power users choice to be arbitrary. 1 Reply veeschay, southern Utah 11/22/08 Arbitrary power can cause great damage to the economy, and the liberty of any free society. To limit it reduces the damage that can be inflicted Reply Roland, Bonner's Ferry 4/13/14 11Reply Mike, Norwalk 5/11/20 The “source”, at natural law (with a de jure common law application), prevents arbitrary power in and of itself. A “republican form of government” (Article IV Section 4 U.S. Constitution) is guaranteed at “the laws of nature and of nature’s God (Declaration of Independence) when each and every, any and all source of limiting power is recognized by/to the individual sovereign's nemo dat quod non haben = can not give that which is not had (as an individual sovereign, I do not possess the lawful authority or power to limit another's rights or liberty). Arbitrary power is rationalized and exercised by enslaved dupes’ allegiance and obedience to an inorganic / intangible / tyrannical phantasm (collective, democracy, religion, etc.). Solely limiting power to an existing arbitrary phantasm (government) without recognizing the true and lawful source of all authority and power is like closing the barn door after the horses have already got out. SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Friedrich August von Hayek quote is found in these categories: Constitution quotes Power quotes About Friedrich August von Hayek Bio of Friedrich August von Hayek Quotations by Friedrich August von Hayek Books by/about Friedrich August von Hayek Friedrich August von Hayek videos Friedrich August von Hayek on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Friedrich August von Hayek