Ayn Rand Quote

"The only proper purpose of a government is to protect man's rights, which means: to protect him from physical violence. A proper government is only a policeman, acting as an agent of man's self-defense, and, as such, may only resort to force only against those who start the use of force."

by:	Ayn Rand [Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum] (1905-1982) Russian-American novelist, philosopher, playwright, and screenwriter
Source:	"Atlas Shrugged"
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Categories:	Government, Independence, Power
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yet more proof that Alisa Zinov'yevna Rosenbaum is the most over-rated author of all time. Man has a right to be protected?!?! Crikey! GMAFB! Incomprehensibly stupid, revealing a total lack of understanding of Liberty and the role of government.  -- Jimi Bigbear, Libertyville, Iowa      1 4
Jimi, you missed the point by a country mile...The ONLY role of GOVERNMENT is to protect our rights...NOT to run our lives. I thinks it's you who misunderstands...  -- J Carlton, Calgary      6
I think Jimi suffers from cognitive dissonance. Every animal has a 'right' to defend itself from predators -- the right to self-defense is inherent. A republican form of government is chartered by the People who collectively are defending their lives, liberty, and property from predators whether they be petty thieves, mobs, or tyrants. If the role of government is not to protect our liberty then what is it? The quote is right on.  -- E Archer, NYC      6
Governemnt , is ONLY to protect our Nation, with military. A FREE man protects himself, this guys quote, he musta never had to defend himself. Keep government out of this one. Good to have cops, but they are SECOND responders, Just ask one. The right to self defense, is from the Creator. The second amenedment, stall stand.  -- Kimo, USA      4
I might have read it too fast, but still, it is the gov job to protect rights, and ENFORCE the constitution...........  -- Kimo, USA      2
Thanks for the clarification J. How 'bout that; for once I agree with you.  -- L. Hanson, Edmonton, Canada      2
L, Must be a banner day. :)  -- J Carlton, Calgary      2
-- dick, fort worth
-- Roland, Bonner's Ferry
Interesting in the light of Mr Trump's outburst in relation to the perceived threat of N Korea. Perhaps he had a bad round of golf.  -- Mick, Manchester
Kimo, said well. I would adjust the statement by saying individual sovereigns have inalienable rights and "assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them." Those same sovereigns may hire servants to represent those rights - being limited to doing only that which the sovereign can personally do himself (that is the proper role of government). An example of such would be the originally sought after principles by the de jure States united - limiting rights representation to life, liberty and property. Liberty, plays a major oversight position here; Liberty is: “The power of acting as one thinks fit, without any restraint or control, except from the laws of nature.” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary) Liberty is the “exemption from extraneous control. The power of the will, in its moral freedom, to follow the dictates of its unrestricted choice, and to direct the external acts of the individual without restraint, coercion, or control from other persons. Liberty is the right which nature gives to all mankind of disposing of their persons and property after the manner they judge most consistent with their happiness, on condition of their acting within the limits of the law of nature, and so as not to interfere with an equal exercise of the same rights by other men.” (Blacks Law Dictionary 1st ed.) Liberty: "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." (Thomas Jefferson) The current occupying statist theocracy infesting this land violates the proper role of government by compelled compliance, government licenses, victimless crimes, larceny with impunity (2nd plank of the communist manifesto, Social Security, police state confiscations, etc.), alienation of nature's endowed rights, and all else that socialism, despotism and tyranny has to offer.  -- Mike, Norwalk      2
Ayn is right, as usual.  -- jim k, Austin      1 1
The less government the better.  -- cal, Lewisville, Texas      1
In a polity peopled by Sovereign Individuals, police powers are naturally, necessarily, constrained by the Virtue of the people.  -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill      3
-- Ronw13, Idaho
-- jim k, austin
False. Govt is to protect borders from despots who would take our rights. That is the original context from western civilization  -- Don Lee, Reno      1
Inaccurate, Don. Protecting the borders is indeed part of the government's policing "acting as an agent of man's self-defense."  The government was chartered to protect the rights of the People, from county, to state, to nation — borders included.  -- E Archer, NYC

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