Political Quotes

Lysander Spooner: “They all have the same end in view as his false definitions; that is, to establish the principle that governments have…”

On the record
They all have the same end in view as his false definitions; that is, to establish the principle that governments have all power, and the people no rights.
Said by
Lysander Spooner

Editor's note · Context

Spooner critiques the idea that governments hold all power over individuals' rights.

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More from Lysander Spooner

They do not tell us that they have established infallible supreme courts, to whom they refer all questions as to the legality of their acts, and that they do nothing that is not sanctioned by these courts.

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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.

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They do not tell us of the almshouses, hospitals, schools, churches, etc., which, out of the purest charity and benevolence, they maintain for our benefit, out of the money they take from us.

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On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.

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