The State, both in its genesis and by its primary intention, is purely anti-social. It is not based on the idea of natural rights, but on the idea that the individual has no rights except those that the State may provisionally grant him. It has always made justice costly and difficult of access, and has invariably held itself above justice and common morality whenever it could advantage itself by so doing.
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In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its read more
In a democracy dissent is an act of faith. Like medicine, the test of its value is not in its taste, but in its effects.
Policies are judged by their consequences, but crusades are judged by how good they make the crusaders feel.
Policies are judged by their consequences, but crusades are judged by how good they make the crusaders feel.
Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues.
Voters don't decide issues, they decide who will decide issues.
As hard as modern man strives to be free he is a slave chained to the past.
As hard as modern man strives to be free he is a slave chained to the past.
For every prohibition you create you also create an underground.
For every prohibition you create you also create an underground.
Kill a man, and you are an assassin. Kill millions of men, and you are a conqueror. Kill everyone, and read more
Kill a man, and you are an assassin. Kill millions of men, and you are a conqueror. Kill everyone, and you are a god.
...this is precisely the purpose of censorship- not only to block unwanted views, but to keep people who are unhappy read more
...this is precisely the purpose of censorship- not only to block unwanted views, but to keep people who are unhappy from knowing how many millions of others share their unhappiness; to keep the dormant opposition from awakening to its own developing strength.
If you have ever seen a four-year-old trying to lord it over a two-year-old, then you know what the basic read more
If you have ever seen a four-year-old trying to lord it over a two-year-old, then you know what the basic problem of human nature is -- and why government keeps growing larger and ever more intrusive.
I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone. - Last words, October read more
I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone. - Last words, October 12, 1915.
