I cannot delegate any such right to A, because I have no such right myself; and I cannot delegate to another what I do not myself possess.
Lysander Spooner: “I cannot delegate any such right to A, because I have no such right myself; and I cannot delegate to another what I do…”
Editor's note · Context
Spooner emphasizes that one cannot delegate rights they do not possess themselves.
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On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.
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.
They do not tell us that we are the freest and happiest people on earth, inasmuch as each of our male adults is allowed one voice in ten millions in the choice of the men, who are to rob, enslave, and murder us.
They do not carry their heads high, above all other men, and demand our reverence and admiration, as statesmen, patriots, and benefactors.