Skip to content

The principle that the majority have a right to rule the minority, practically resolves all government into a mere contest between two bodies of men, as to which of them shall be masters, and which of them slaves; a contest, that—however bloody—can, in the nature of things, never be finally closed, so long as man refuses to be a slave.

— Lysander Spooner No Treason (1867)

Another quote →

More quotes by Lysander Spooner

A man is none the less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.

No Treason (1867)

Certainly no man can rightfully be required to join, or support, an association whose protection he does not desire.

Natural Law; or The Science of Justice (1882)

Law is the rule, principle, obligation or requirement of natural justice.

The Unconstitutionality of Slavery (1860)

Those who are capable of tyranny are capable of perjury to sustain it.

An Essay on the Trial by Jury (1852)

For this reason, whoever desires liberty, should understand these vital facts, viz.

No Treason (1867)

All Lysander Spooner quotes →

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Lysander Spooner (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.