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Governments will always misuse the machinery of the law as far as the state of public opinion permits.
Governments will always misuse the machinery of the law as far as the state of public opinion permits.
Free institutions are not the property of any majority. They do not confer upon majorities unlimited powers. The rights of read more
Free institutions are not the property of any majority. They do not confer upon majorities unlimited powers. The rights of the majority are limited rights. They are limited not only by the constitutional guarantees but by the moral principle implied in those guarantees. That principle is that men may not use the facilities of liberty to impair them. No man may invoke a right in order to destroy it.
...if we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular read more
...if we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular object is not sufficient justification for the use of coercion.
The world of politics is always twenty years behind the world of thought.
The world of politics is always twenty years behind the world of thought.
What is hateful to thyself do not do to another. That is the whole Law, the rest is Commentary.
What is hateful to thyself do not do to another. That is the whole Law, the rest is Commentary.
Given that some social processes must convey inherent constraints, the choice is among various mixtures of persuasion, force, and cultural read more
Given that some social processes must convey inherent constraints, the choice is among various mixtures of persuasion, force, and cultural inducement. The less of one, the more of the others. The degree of freedom that is possible is therefore tied to the extent to which people respond to persuasion or inducement.
It is doubtful if the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and power- power to oppress others. read more
It is doubtful if the oppressed ever fight for freedom. They fight for pride and power- power to oppress others. The oppressed want above all to imitate their oppressors; they want to retaliate.
Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigourously, more vigourously, and more severely, than by one.
Tyranny and despotism can be exercised by many, more rigourously, more vigourously, and more severely, than by one.
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these read more
You need only reflect that one of the best ways to get yourself a reputation as a dangerous citizen these days is to go about repeating the very phrases which our founding fathers used in the struggle for independence.