The single despot stands out in the face of all men, and says: I am the State: My will is law: I am your master: I take the responsibility of my acts: The only arbiter I acknowledge is the sword: If any one denies my right, let him try conclusions with me. Lysander Spooner acknowledgeactarbiter share on social
All know the importance of sustaining the hopes of a sick man. The reason of this is that his nervous system is then, vastly more than in health, susceptible to the influence of particular states of the mind. Lysander Spooner healthhopeimportance share on social
All governments, the worst on earth, and the most tyrannical on earth, are free governments to that portion of the people who voluntarily support them. Lysander Spooner badearthfree Change image and share on social
Legislators and judges are necessarily exposed to all the temptations of money, fame, and power, to induce them to disregard justice between parties, and sell the rights, and violate the liberties of the people. Jurors, on the other hand, are exposed to none of these temptations. Lysander Spooner disregardexposefame share on social
To say that majorities, as such, have a right to rule minorities, is equivalent to saying that minorities have, and ought to have, no rights, except such as majorities please to allow them. Lysander Spooner equivalentmajorityminority Change image and share on social
To deprive mankind of their natural right and power of creating wealth for themselves, is as great a tyranny as it is to rob them of it after they have created it. And this is done by all laws against honest banking. Lysander Spooner bankcreatedeprive share on social
The mere toleration of the slave trade could not make slavery itself - the right of property in man - lawful any where; not even on board the slave ship. Toleration of a wrong is not law. Lysander Spooner boardlawlawful Change image and share on social
A man's 'original and natural right' to make all contracts that are 'intrinsically obligatory,' and to coerce the fulfillment of them, is one of the most valuable and indispensable of all human possessions. Lysander Spooner coercecontractfulfillment share on social
Any rule, not existing in the nature of things, or that is not permanent, universal and inflexible in its application, is no law, according to any correct definition of the term law. Lysander Spooner applicationcorrectdefinition Change image and share on social
No court presumes to tell a jury that they are to try a capital case with the same indifference and unconcern as to consequences, that they would a case where the results of their decision would be less important. Lysander Spooner capitalcaseconsequence share on social
