"Our authorities leave us no doubt that the trust lodged with the oligarchy was sometimes abused, but it certainly ought not to be regarded as a mere usurpation or engine of tyranny"

This quote by Henry James Sumner Maine is referring to the power of an oligarchy, which is a kind of government where a little group of people have control over the bulk. Maine is recommending that while the trust positioned in the oligarchy was sometimes over used, it must not be viewed as a kind of tyranny. He is implying that the oligarchy was not constantly oppressive which it could be used for the benefit of the people. Maine is additionally suggesting that the people must not be as well quick to evaluate the oligarchy which it need to be given a possibility to confirm itself. He is stressing the value of understanding the context of the circumstance and also not making assumptions regarding the oligarchy based upon past experiences. Maine is ultimately supporting for a more well balanced approach to the power of the oligarchy and for the people to be more open-minded when it concerns the potential advantages of the oligarchy.