Quote from Frederic Bastiat, |
"If every person has the right to defend -- even by force -- his person, his liberty, and his property, then it follows that a group of men have the right to organize and support a common force to protect these rights constantly. Thus the principle of collective right -- its reason for existing, its lawfulness -- is based on individual right. And the common force that protects this collective right cannot logically have any other purpose or any other mission than that for which it acts as a substitute. Thus, since an individual cannot lawfully use force against the person, liberty, or property of another individual, then the common force -- for the same reason -- cannot lawfully be used to destroy the person, liberty, or property of individuals or groups."
By: |
Frederic Bastiat (more quotes by Frederic Bastiat or books by/about Frederic Bastiat) |
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(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 |
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Source: |
"The Law" by Frederic Bastiat (1848)
<a href=http://liberty-tree.ca/research/TheLaw>http://liberty-tree.ca/research/TheLaw</a> |
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Categories: |
Collectivism, Defense, Force, Government, Individual Rights, Integrity, Justice, Law, Liberty, Power, Property, Republic, Responsibility |
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