Lysander Spooner

About the author

Lysander Spooner - Advocate of Natural Law

Lysander Spooner was born on January 19, 1808, in Athol, Massachusetts, United States. He was a renowned anarcho-individualist, abolitionist, and political philosopher who gained fame in the mid-19th century. He was a firm believer in the concept of natural law, which he extensively elaborated upon in his writings, particularly in 'The Unconstitutionality of Slavery' (1845) and 'No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority' (1867-1870).

Spooner contributed significantly to the anarchist movement of his time. His ideas about the role of the individual in society and his critique of state intervention laid the groundwork for modern anarcho-capitalism. Spooner believed in the individual's power and freedom, arguing that governments should exist only as voluntary associations. His thoughts on abolitionism, too, were groundbreaking; he vehemently opposed slavery and defended the rights of African-Americans. Spooner passed away on May 14, 1887, but his writings continue to inspire anarchist movements worldwide.

Date of Birth: January 19, 1808

Date of Death: May 14, 1887

Country of Birth: United States

Political Ideas: Anarcho-individualism

Quotes Available: 11

Quotes by Lysander Spooner

But whether the Constitution really be one thing, or another, this much is certain - that it has either authorized such a government as we have had, or has been powerless to prevent it. In either case it is unfit to exist.

If there be in nature such a principle as justice, it is necessarily the only political principle there ever was, or ever will be.

The right of revolution, which tyrants, in mockery, accord to mankind, is no legal right under a government; it is only a natural right to overturn a governmentent. The government itself never acknowledges this right.

A man's natural rights are his own, against the whole world; and any infringement of them is equally a crime, whether committed by one man, or by millions; whether committed by one man, calling himself a robber, (or by any other name indicating his true character,) or by millions, calling themselves a government.

Majorities, as such, afford no guarantees for justice. They are men of the same nature as minorities. They have the same passions for fame, power, and money, as minorities; and are liable and likely to be equally - perhaps more than equally, because more boldly - rapacious, tyrannical and unprincipled, if intrusted with power. There is no more reason, then, why a man should either sustain, or submit to, the rule of the majority, than of a minority.

If our fathers, in 1776, had acknowledged the principle that a majority had the right to rule the minority, we should never have become a nation; for they were in a small minority, as compared with those who claimed the right to rule over them.

In vices, the very essence of crime - that is, the design to injure the person or property of another - is wanting.

A man is none the less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.

A government that shall punish all vices impartially is so obviously an impossibility, that nobody was ever found, or ever will be found, foolish enough to propose it.

The true and legitimate meaning of the word treason, then, necessarily implies treachery, deceit, breach of faith. Without these, there can be no treason.

The fact is that the government, like a highwayman, says to a man: Your money, or your life. And many, if not most, taxes are paid under the compulsion of that threat.

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