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A man's natural rights are his own, against the whole world; and any infringement of them is equally a crime, whether committed by one man, or by millions; whether committed by one man, calling himself a robber, (or by any other name indicating his true character,) or by millions, calling themselves a government.

— Lysander Spooner No Treason (1867)

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Nature

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 →

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Utu, shepherd of the land, father of the black-headed, when you go to sleep, the people go to sleep with you; youth Utu, when you rise, the people rise with you.

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The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

Edward Gibbon The History of the Decline And Fall Of The Roman Empire (1776)

Matter gave birth to a passion that has no equal, which proceeded from something contrary to nature. Then there arises a disturbance in its whole body.

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Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.

Martin Luther King Jr.

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.