But the right of every man to do anything, and everything, which justice does not forbid him to do, is a natural, inherent, inalienable right.
Lysander Spooner: “But the right of every man to do anything, and everything, which justice does not forbid him to do, is a natural…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner defines the right to act freely as a natural and inalienable right, limited only by justice.
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They do not tell us that all liberty and order would be destroyed, that society itself would go to pieces, and man go back to barbarism, if it were not for the care, and supervision, and protection, they lavish upon us.
For all these reasons, they are not only modest and sensible, but really frank, honest, and honorable villains, contrasted with these courts of injustice, and the lawmakers by whom these courts are established.
They do not carry their heads high, above all other men, and demand our reverence and admiration, as statesmen, patriots, and benefactors.
When they have once taken our money, they have the decency to get out of our sight as soon as possible; they do not persist in following us, and robbing us, again and again, so long as we produce anything that they can take from us.