Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.
--Thomas Jefferson to Isaac H. Tiffany, 1819
Those two paragraphs are THE answer to arguments in favor of the wars on guns, drugs, blogs, privacy, cell phone cameras, THOUGHT. And to all people who tell us we can't know the minds of the Founders, that they could not have foreseen, etc. The sentiment is timeless, from the pre-Christian "An it harm none, do what ye will" to the biblical Golden Rule to the modern "I'm OK, You're OK." Do unto others as you would have them do unto not you, but your best beloved.
ReplyDeleteOnce you have that down, insist on it from others. Have the means to remind them, gently or otherwise.
Live free, every day.
TJ was the greatest president, AND the greatest American we ever had!
ReplyDeleteJust finished an audio book about Washington, and while he was an admirable man, he was also the dupe of the uber-federalists Hamilton and Madison.
Jefferson never lost sight of the goal of individual liberty for all.
In addition to Thomas Jefferson's accurate description of the extent of rights I'll add that rights are private property, they cannot be given away to the state.
ReplyDeleteRights are not subject to arguments of utility nor to the democratic process. We shall not tolerate those who attempt to make them so.
"Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others.
ReplyDeleteI do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual."
Wow !!
Those statements should be the foundation of the entire Liberty movement no matter what its name.. it is the legal and moral justification for the very existence of Free Citizens and their right to seek Liberty at any cost.
Thank You for posting that, I've neer heard it before but I will never forget it.
Yank lll