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.

If none were to have Liberty but those who understand what it is, there would not be many freed Men read more

If none were to have Liberty but those who understand what it is, there would not be many freed Men in the world.

In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they read more

In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Catholic. Then they came for me -- and by that time there was nobody left to speak up.

...a man's worst difficulties begin when he is able to do as he likes.

...a man's worst difficulties begin when he is able to do as he likes.

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.

People are beginning to realize that the apparatus of government is costly. But what they do not know is that read more

People are beginning to realize that the apparatus of government is costly. But what they do not know is that the burden falls inevitably on them.

Against nature and within nature there is no freedom.

Against nature and within nature there is no freedom.

The need for Government is the need for force; where force is unnecessary, there is no need for Government.

The need for Government is the need for force; where force is unnecessary, there is no need for Government.

Crime, like disease, is not interesting; it is something to be done away with by general consent, and that is read more

Crime, like disease, is not interesting; it is something to be done away with by general consent, and that is all about it.