Lysander Spooner Quote 

"The principle that the majority have a right to rule the minority,
practically resolves all government into a mere contest between two
bodies of men, as to which of them shall be masters, and which of them
slaves; a contest, that -- however bloody -- can, in the nature of
things, never be finally closed, so long as man refuses to be a slave."

by:
Lysander Spooner
(1808-1887) Political theorist, activist, abolitionist
Date:
1867
Source:
No Treason, The Constitution of No Authority. (1870)
Categories:
 
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Reader comments about this quote:
True, but very sadly so. Majority rule...indeed.
 -- Silvia		 
 -- Mike, Norwalk 
I think Liberty Quotes is a fabulous web-site and I love reading the quotes particularly the ones like today which refer to the government. I use them sometimes on my blog, octogenariansblog.com. I write a lot about politics and Freedom. I'm 84 years old, began blogging 6 months ago now have 125 articles. Just got a call to be on Jay Leno show. thanks anne cleveland@bellsouth.net
 -- Anne Cleveland, Gainesville Georgia		 
A near perfect description of government. On Tuesday we will decide if our own country will remain about 80% socialist or go all the way. If Mr "Spread the Wealth Around" is elected we will have our first Marxist president. McCain is no bargain but considering the alternative he looks pretty good.
 -- jim k, austin		 
Like the 'Tax the rich' slogan of the Left and the 'Shock and awe' of the Right. What I want to know is: Why won't a nation of slaves vote for their own freedom? Instead we vote on who we will plunder next.
 -- E Archer, NYC		 
Actually, Archer, you have it backwards, we vote on who will plunder us next.
 -- jim k, austin		 
Whether it is a group or an individual that tries to live off of the sweat of someone else's brow, inevitably it will first lead to resentment and then to bloodshed. People will not tolerate slavery forever and justice will not wait forever. Is it just me or does it feel like Atlas is about to shrug?
 -- Ken, Allyn, WA		 
Another excellent quote - Individual rights and that of the minorities will always persevere the torment of time - as long as the flame flickers the heart will endure
 -- RBESRQ		 
Jim, just this %$*&)@# because you have no idea what you are talking about - Obama is so far from being a Marxist as you are from becoming the next president. McCain is a buffoon and Palin is an utter joke. We have more socialism under a GOP admin than any Dem. Read what Phil Butler said about McCain (a fellow POW). McCain was 5th from the bottom of his class of 856 students and Obama was at the top. If you have stupid people running the country you will have morons as follows. Don't you guys get IT!!!! we already have a "single payer" system with over 120 million being given assistance - all civilized countries do the same but more. If we wish to slip back into the dark ages then so be it but don't take me with you. Ken, no, its not just you, just be there to catch it.
 -- RBESRQ		 
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