In states that make the most of freedom, there are laws which violate it against one individual in order to maintain it for all. Such are what are called bills of attainder in England. [1] They are related to those laws of Athens which legislated against an individual, [2] provided they were voted on by six thousand citizens. They are related to those laws that were made in Rome against individual citizens which were called privileges. [3] These were passed only in the major assemblies of the people. But in whatever manner the people approve them, Cicero wants them abolished, because the strength of law consists only in its being written for everyone. [4] I concede, however, that the practice of the freest peoples who have ever existed on earth makes me believe there are cases where a veil must momentarily be cast over freedom, as one hides the statues of the gods.