On the record
A man wants his rights protected, solely that he himself may possess and use them, and have the full benefit of them.
Said by
Lysander Spooner
Source
gutenberg.orgLysander Spooner: “A man wants his rights protected, solely that he himself may possess and use them, and have the full benefit of them.”
Editor's note · Context
This quote highlights the fundamental reason individuals seek protection of their rights: to possess and benefit from them.
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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.
On the contrary, they acknowledge themselves robbers, murderers, and villains, pure and simple.
They do not attempt to deceive us, or mislead us, or reconcile us to their doings, by any such pretences, impostures, or insults as these.
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.