The Law

[iOWNme]

This book is amazing. I HIGHLY recommend this to all here....

The Law, by Fredrick Bastiat

http://www.fee.org/pdf/books/The_Law.pdf - PDF of book here


Small excerpt i liked:



"Each of us has a natural right—from God—to defend his
person, his liberty, and his property. These are the three basic
requirements of life, and the preservation of any one of them is
completely dependent upon the preservation of the other two.
For what are our faculties but the extension of our individuality?
And what is property but an extension of our faculties?

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 the principle of collec-
tive right—its reason for existing, its lawfulness—is based on
individual right. And the common force that protects this collec-
tive right cannot logically have any other purpose or any other
mission than that for which it acts as a substitute. 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."

[Libertytree]

It's an excellent book, not very big or long either. A great addition to any library!

[wildcard]

http://mises.org/literature.aspx?action=author&Id=123

[Silver Shield]

This book is amazing. I HIGHLY recommend this to all here....

The Law, by Fredrick Bastiat

http://www.fee.org/pdf/books/The_Law.pdf - PDF of book here


Small excerpt i liked:



"Each of us has a natural right—from God—to defend his
person, his liberty, and his property. These are the three basic
requirements of life, and the preservation of any one of them is
completely dependent upon the preservation of the other two.
For what are our faculties but the extension of our individuality?
And what is property but an extension of our faculties?

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 the principle of collec-
tive right—its reason for existing, its lawfulness—is based on
individual right. And the common force that protects this collec-
tive right cannot logically have any other purpose or any other
mission than that for which it acts as a substitute. 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."


Truely amazing, simple, logical, and powerful concept that has been systematically and collectively destroyed.

[iOWNme]

Found a copy on Amazon for $1.05......Talk about a return on an investment!


For anyone who isnt familiar, this book was written in 1850, and Fredrick was a part of the French Parliament.

[DMac]

Wow, there are a lot of editions. Is there a particular one I should look for? I would like to add this to my collection. Thanks for the suggestion SJ

[iOWNme]

Wow, there are a lot of editions. Is there a particular one I should look for? I would like to add this to my collection. Thanks for the suggestion SJ


Not sure, here is the one i ordered:

http://www.amazon.com/Law-Frederic-Bastiat/dp/1572460733


You will most certainly enjoy this book. The basic principles outlined here are the most Just and Right principles man can live by, IMO. Simple and amazingly full of TRUTH....

[Libertarian_Guard]

If this thread isn't worthy of a bump, I don't know what would be!

It should be required reading for all freedom loving people.

[Twisted Titan]

Audio File read by Mr Griffin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikgwLu_qVjI

[Ponce]

The law is not how is writting but how those with the power interpret it.......it can be white at 1 pm and black at 2 pm.

[iOWNme]

The law is not how is writting but how those with the power interpret it.......it can be white at 1 pm and black at 2 pm.


Ponce the point to this book is that Law is Truth and Just. Not what the Government says it is. What Government says and does may be Legal, for they pave their own Legal way, But it can NEVER be the Law.

We must all live our lives by Law, not by the whim of the majority. If you havent read this book Ponce, i urge you to. It isnt long, and sucked me right in. I couldnt set it down. Took about an hour.....

Government can try as they wish to change gravity, but the Creator planned otherwise.

[iOWNme]

This book is VERY important. I have read it literally 20 times. It only takes about an hour.... :)



A Confusion of Terms

Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all.

We disapprove of state education. Then the socialists say that we are opposed to any education. We object to a state religion. Then the socialists say that we want no religion at all. We object to a state-enforced equality. Then they say that we are against equality. And so on, and so on. It is as if the socialists were to accuse us of not wanting persons to eat because we do not want the state to raise grain.


If you havent yet, READ THIS BOOK!

[Carl]

You can't just pick one book and say that's it. You gotta read what came before and what came after and do they support each other in principle and fact. I started around John Locke, Hobbes, etc., which led to our Constitution, Bastiat, Mill, etc. Read Locke and you'll see where Bastiat is coming from.

Rousseau disqualified himself but is still worth reading as a contrast.

[iOWNme]

You can't just pick one book and say that's it. You gotta read what came before and what came after and do they support each other in principle and fact. I started around John Locke, Hobbes, etc., which led to our Constitution, Bastiat, Mill, etc. Read Locke and you'll see where Bastiat is coming from.

Rousseau disqualified himself but is still worth reading as a contrast.

Where the F did i say that? Point it out right now, or i am calling you out as a blatant LIAR. What is wrong with you O Holy One? I have read most of the stuff you have listed years ago. But this thread is about Bastiat and The Law.

Read Locke? LOL.... Who's that?......SARCASM. You and your elitist attitude REALLY rub me the wrong way. For you to just assume i havent read that stuff is incredibly egotistical of you. Can you please tell me what other books i should read to be able to attain your superior knowledge?


For Christs sake man......

[Carl]

Where the F did i say that? Point it out right now, or i am calling you out as a blatant LIAR. What is wrong with you O Holy One? I have read most of the stuff you have listed years ago. But this thread is about Bastiat and The Law.

Read Locke? LOL.... Who's that?......SARCASM. You and your elitist attitude REALLY rub me the wrong way. For you to just assume i havent read that stuff is incredibly egotistical of you. Can you please tell me what other books i should read to be able to attain your superior knowledge?


For Christs sake man......

You are being way too defensive.

I didn't say "you said" and I wasn't trying to imply that's what you meant. But there are those out there who do not know how history, philosophy and the principles of liberty flow in unison and they would most likely take what you said as a "be all end all on the subject", jump into the middle of the stream, say around Bastiat, and attempt to force its flow to an extreme, Libertarians.