A slave government is an oligarchy; and one, too, of the most arbitrary and criminal character. Lysander Spooner arbitrarycharactercriminal Change image and share on social
The only security men can have for their political liberty, consists in keeping their money in their own pockets. Lysander Spooner consistkeepliberty Change image and share on social
Martyrdom is evidence only of a man's honesty - it is no evidence that he is not mistaken. Men have suffered martyrdom for all sorts of opinions in politics and in religion; yet they could not therefore have all been in the right; although they could give no stronger evidence that they believed themselves in the right. Lysander Spooner believeevidencegive share on social
Any government, that is its own judge of, and determines authoritatively for the people, what are its own powers over the people, is an absolute government of course. It has all the powers that it chooses to exercise. There is no other or at least no more accurate definition of a despotism than this. Lysander Spooner absoluteaccurateauthoritatively 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
A contract for the establishment of government, being nothing but a voluntary contract between individuals for their mutual benefit, differs, in nothing that is essential to its validity, from any other contract between man and man, or between nation and nation. Lysander Spooner benefitcontractdiffer share on social
Any number of scoundrels, having money enough to start with, can establish themselves as a 'government'; because, with money, they can hire soldiers, and with soldiers extort more money; and also compel general obedience to their will. Lysander Spooner compelestablishextort share on social
Slavery, if it can be legalized at all, can be legalized only by positive legislation. Natural law gives it no aid. Custom imparts to it no legal sanction. Lysander Spooner aidcustomimpart Change image and share on social
There can be no criminal intent in resisting injustice. Lysander Spooner criminalinjusticeintent Change image and share on social
The rescue of a person, who is assaulted, or restrained of his liberty, without authority of law, is not only morally, but legally, a meritorious act; for every body is under obligation to go to the assistance of one who is assailed by assassins, robbers, ravishers, kidnappers, or ruffians of any kind. Lysander Spooner actassailassassin share on social