It is a natural impossibility for any man to make a binding contract, by which he shall surrender to others a single one of what are commonly called his 'natural, inherent, inalienable rights.' Lysander Spooner bindcallcommonly Change image and share on social
A government that can at pleasure accuse, shoot, and hang men, as traitors, for the one general offence of refusing to surrender themselves and their property unreservedly to its arbitrary will, can practice any and all special and particular oppressions it pleases. Lysander Spooner accusearbitrarygeneral 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
Slavery is a wrong to each individual enslaved; and not merely to the first of a series. Natural law, therefore, as much forbids the enslaving of the child, as if the wrong of enslaving the parent had never been perpetrated. Lysander Spooner childenslaveforbid share on social
If the jury have no right to judge of the justice of a law of the government, they plainly can do nothing to protect the people against the oppressions of the government; for there are no oppressions which the government may not authorize by law. Lysander Spooner authorizegovernmentjudge share on social
It is self-evident that no number of men, by conspiring, and calling themselves a government, can acquire any rights whatever over other men, or other men's property, which they had not before, as individuals. Lysander Spooner acquirecallconspire share on social
All, or nearly all, the advantage there is in fixing any constitutional limits to the power of a government, is simply to give notice to the government of the point at which it will meet with resistance. Lysander Spooner advantageconstitutionalfix share on social
The trial by jury might safely be introduced into a despotic government, if the jury were to exercise no right of judging of the law, or the justice of the law. Lysander Spooner despoticexercisegovernment Change image and share on social
A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years. Lysander Spooner allowchooseman 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
