The law has been perverted through the influence of two very different causes-naked greed and misconceived philanthropy.
Frederic BastiatWe cannot but be astonished at the ease with which men resign themselves to ignorance about what is most important for them to know; and we may be certain that they are determined to remain invincibly ignorant if they once come to consider it as axiomatic that there are no absolute principles.
Frederic BastiatWhich countries contain the most peaceful, the most moral, and the happiest people? Those people are found in the countries where the law least interferes with private affairs; where the government is least felt; where the individual has the greatest scope, and free opinion the greatest influence; where the administrative powers are fewest and simplest; where taxes are lightest and most nearly equal
Frederic BastiatTreat all economic questions from the viewpoint of the consumer, for the interests of the consumer are the interests of the human race.
Frederic BastiatIs not liberty the destruction of all despotism - including, of course, legal despotism?
Frederic BastiatAs proof of this statement, consider this question: Have the people ever been known to rise against the Court of Appeals, or mob a Justice of the Peace, in order to get higher wages, free credit, tools of production, favorable tariffs, or government-created jobs? Everyone knows perfectly well that such matters are not within the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals or a Justice of the Peace. And if government were limited to its proper functions, everyone would soon learn that these matters are not within the jurisdiction of the law itself.
Frederic Bastiat