The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. read more

The conception that government should be guided by majority opinion makes sense only if that opinion is independent of government. The ideal of democracy rests on the belief that the view which will direct government emerges from an independent and spontaneous process. It requires, therefore, the existence of a large sphere independent of majority control in which the opinions of the individuals are formed.

The glory of a nation and an age is always the work of a few great persons, and it disappears read more

The glory of a nation and an age is always the work of a few great persons, and it disappears with them.

Man's rights are evident branches of, rather than deductions from, the duty of self-preservation, commonly called the first law of read more

Man's rights are evident branches of, rather than deductions from, the duty of self-preservation, commonly called the first law of nature.

The political world is stimulating. It's the most interesting thing you can do. It beats following the dollar.

The political world is stimulating. It's the most interesting thing you can do. It beats following the dollar.

It is the duty of righteous men to make war on all undeserved privilege, but one must not forget that read more

It is the duty of righteous men to make war on all undeserved privilege, but one must not forget that this is a war without end.

This is, I say, the time for all good men not to go to the aid of their party, but read more

This is, I say, the time for all good men not to go to the aid of their party, but to come to the aid of their country.

Republicans are men of narrow vision, who are afraid of the future.

Republicans are men of narrow vision, who are afraid of the future.

...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.

Property rights are not the rights of property; they are the rights of humans with regard to property. They are read more

Property rights are not the rights of property; they are the rights of humans with regard to property. They are a particular kind of human right.