"Society is composed of men, and every man is a FREE agent. Since man is free, he can choose; since he can choose, he can err; since he can err, he can suffer. I go further: He must err and he must suffer; for his starting point is ignorance, and in his ignorance he sees before him an infinite number of unknown roads, all of which save one lead to error."
by:
Frederic Bastiat
(1801-1850) [Claude Frederic Bastiat] French economist, statesman, and author. He did most of his writing during the years just before -- and immediately following -- the French Revolution of February 1848
Source:
Harmonies, XXX
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Said in many different ways, in many different places, all accurate.
 -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Not many writings have withstood the test of time as Bastiat's have. A very intelligent and wise man.
     -- Anon     
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    Its called "life". And the right to choose is something we should all cherish, before the "Hope and Change" crowd pre arrange our very existence for us.
     -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    Well stated, J Carlton.
     -- jim k, austin     
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    Those who yearn for the safety and security of slavery will have their chance soon enough. The nanny state is a slave state forcing men to repeat old mistakes.
     -- Justin, Elkland     
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    I'd definitely prefer to make my own mistakes rather than have the mistakes of the majority forced upon me. The mistakes of the individual have a much more limited range than the mistakes of those who wield political power.
     -- Pol Pot, Phnum Penh, Cambodia     
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    Obama is fixing that problem for us. He is going to prevent err by removing the choice where ever he can.
     -- warren, olathe     
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    Perfect! The other being SELF
     -- RBESRQ     
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    correction: ...all of which save one... being SELF
     -- RBESRQ     
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    Read Bastiat's THE LAW. Timeless Truth.
     -- Howard Romano, Bangkok     
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    Man, if this were truly understood, we could eliminate 75% of government bureaus and programs.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Beautifully said....
     -- Robert, Somewhere in Europe     
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    Quantity ! is infinite, in forgiveness, such is the state at Liberty. Affliction and correction, by God's natural laws, the way of life.
    Licentiousness Liberty, as Franklin mentions. What a concept !! The little hid truth of mercy. All trespasses included, as with iniquity as a whole. Most all, Christian secs refuse to acknowledge this Well known truth, ( rightly divided ), from the contrary. ! hence the term providing understanding of said, subjective doctrine. 2, the number of separation at natural law, provides distinction, like night and day. I suspect the light is going to get a LOT BRIGHTER. Bastiat, one of my favorites !
     -- Ronw13, USA     
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