The sort of dependence that results from exchange, i.e., from commercial transactions, is a reciprocal dependence. We cannot be dependent upon a foreigner without his being dependent on us. Now, this is what constitutes the very essence of society. To sever natural interrelations is not to make oneself independent, but to isolate oneself completely.
More Quotes from Claude Frédéric Bastiat:
Since the law organizes justice, the socialists ask why the law should not also organize labor, education, and religion. Why should not law be used for these purposes Because it could not organize labor, education, and religion without destroying justice. We must remember that law is force, and that, consequently, the proper functions of the law cannot lawfully extend beyond the proper functions of force. When law and force keep a person within the bounds of justice, they impose nothing but a mere negation. They oblige him only to abstain from harming others. They violate neither his personality, his liberty, nor his property. They safeguard all of these. They are defensive they defend equally the rights of all.Claude Frédéric Bastiat
It is easier to show the disorder that must accompany reform than the order that should follow it.
Claude Frédéric Bastiat
Law is justice. In this proposition a simple and enduring government can be conceived. And I defy anyone to say how even the thought of revolution, of insurrection, of the slightest uprising could arise against a government whose organized force was confined only to suppressing injustice.
Claude Frédéric Bastiat
If every person has the right to defend even by force his person, his liberty, and his property, then it follows that a group of men have the right to organize and support a common force to protect these rights constantly. Thus, since an individual cannot lawfully use force against the person, liberty, or property of another individual, then the common force for the same reason cannot lawfully be used to destroy the person, liberty, or property of individuals or groups.
Claude Frédéric Bastiat
Actually, what is the political struggle that we witness It is the instinctive struggle of all people toward liberty. And what is this liberty, whose very name makes the heart beat faster and shakes the world Is it not the union of all liberties liberty of conscience, of education, of association, of the press, of travel, of labor, of trade In short, is not liberty the freedom of every person to make full use of his faculties, so long as he does not harm other persons while doing so Is not liberty the destruction of all despotismincluding, of course, legal despotism Finally, is not liberty the restricting of the law only to its rational sphere of organizing the right of the individual to lawful self-defense of punishing injustice.
Claude Frédéric Bastiat
The mind never fully accepts any convictions that it does not owe to its own efforts.
Claude Frédéric Bastiat
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Based on Topics: Dependence Quotes, Society & Civilization QuotesBased on Keywords: interrelations, sever, transactions
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