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October 14, 2004
Thursday
 
 
Samizdata quote of the day
Samizdata Illuminatus (Arkham, Massachusetts)  Slogans/quotations
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When under the pretext of fraternity, the legal code imposes mutual sacrifices on the citizens, human nature is not thereby abrogated. Everyone will then direct his efforts toward contributing little to, and taking much from, the common fund of sacrifices. Now, is it the most unfortunate who gains from this struggle? Certainly not, but rather the most influential and calculating.
- Frédéric Bastiat

Comments

Why were the really smart Frenchmen born a long, long time ago?


Posted by John J. Coupal at October 15, 2004 05:32 AM

Because those who would parent and educate any today have in fact emigrated stateside, perhaps?


Posted by triticale at October 15, 2004 02:24 PM

Is there any better illustration of "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country" than the fact that the French produced, and proceeded to ignore, two of the greatest liberal thinkers (the other of course being Constant)?


Posted by Steve LaBonne at October 15, 2004 04:20 PM

Amen, Steve. Bastiat is my HERO, and I wish more people were familiar with him. All of his writing is very accessible and persuasive (I think.) But who is this Constant character? I suppose I'll have to Google him and find out more. Thanks for the tip!


Posted by Richard Easbey at October 15, 2004 06:03 PM

A cynic's reinterpretation of this axiom is that it applies to all associations. The operative element is "imposes mutual sacrifices". When the association is voluntary, an individual is free to leave when he or she deems they are sacrificing much more than they are gaining. Not so when it is the State. Then, the only recourse is revolution.


Posted by toolkien at October 15, 2004 07:50 PM

To assist in Googling Constant- his first name was Benjamin. Enjoy your discoveries.


Posted by Steve LaBonne at October 15, 2004 09:43 PM
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