Open Wiki Open WikiOpen InfoG Open InfoGNew Quote New Quote

Quote from Lysander Spooner,


"The strong are always free by virtue of their superior strength. So long as government is a mere contest as to which of two parties shall rule the other, the weaker must always succumb. And whether the contest be carried on with ballots or bullets, the principle is the same; for under the theory of government now prevailing, the ballot either signifies a bullet, or it signifies nothing. And no one can consistently use a ballot, unless he intends to use a bullet, if the latter should be needed to insure submission to the former."


By:

Lysander Spooner (more quotes by Lysander Spooner or books by/about Lysander Spooner)


(1808-1887) Political theorist, activist, abolitionist

Source:

No Treason. No. II The Constitution, (Boston: Published by the Author, 1867)
http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php?option=com_staticxt&staticfile=show.php%3Ftitle=2213&layout=html

Categories:

Authority, Consent, Constitution, Government, Power, Treason, Tyranny, Usurpation

Rating:

Get a Quote-A-Day!
Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box.
Email:  More quotes...