My theories explain, but cannot slow the decline of a great civilization. I set out to be a reformer, but only became the historian of decline.
Ludwig von MisesHistory can tell us what happened in the past. But it cannot assert that it must happen again in the future.
Ludwig von MisesThis is the difference between slavery and freedom. The slave must do what his superior orders him to do, but the free citizen-and this is what freedom means-is in a position to choose his own way of life.
Ludwig von MisesThe issue is always the same: the government or the market. There is no third solution.
Ludwig von MisesIt is important to remember that government interference always means either violent action or the threat of such action. The funds that a government spends for whatever purposes are levied by taxation. And taxes are paid because the taxpayers are afraid of offering resistance to the tax gatherers. They know that any disobedience or resistance is hopeless. As long as this is the state of affairs, the government is able to collect the money that it wants to spend.
Ludwig von Mises