The most important element of a free society, where individual rights are held in the highest esteem, is the rejection of the initiation of violence. All initiation of force is a violation of someone else's rights, whether initiated by an individual or the state, for the benefit of an individual or group of individuals, even if it's supposed to be for the benefit of another individual or group of individuals. Legitimate use of violence can only be that which is required in self-defense.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A free society rejects initiating violence; only self‑defense is legitimate.
- In plain terms
- Free societies forbid initiating force, allowing only self‑defense.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid initiating violence; use force only to defend yourself.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is force justified beyond self‑defense?
- How can societies enforce non‑aggression?
Another view
Some argue that pre‑emptive force can prevent greater harm.
More from Ron Paul
The moral and constitutional obligations of our representatives in Washington are to protect our liberty, not coddle the world, precipitating no-win wars, whil…
Permalink to quote #20 Ron Paul: [The draft] should be called slavery, involuntary servitude. Howard Phillips: It violates the 13th amendment, which prohibits involuntary servitude. …
Permalink to quote #22 Truth is treason in the empire of lies.
Permalink to quote #19
Related quotes
As first a man cannot lay down the right of resisting them, that assault him by force, to take away his life; because he cannot be understood to aim thereby, a…
Thomas HobbesThomas Hobbes quote #29 Violence is, of course, alien to our ideals.
Vladimir LeninVladimir Lenin quote #1 'Abu Ghraib is unbelievable in the innocent times of 1961. That we would torture people that way and on the instructions of the President of the United States …
Ramsey ClarkRamsey Clark quote #1