That principle is, that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right... The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.

John Stuart Mill, On Liberty

America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to start shooting the bastards.

Claire Wolfe

A man is no less a slave because he is allowed to choose a new master once in a term of years.

Lysander Spooner

Making it illegal for law-abiding citizens to defend themselves is the legislative equivalent of holding a woman down while someone else rapes her. Except that your average gang rapist, unlike your average gun-control fanatic, is at least too honest to tell others that his actions make society better and safer.

Jennifer from Reason Hit & Run

If experience teaches us anything at all it teaches us this: that a good politician, under democracy, is quite as unthinkable as an honest burglar. His very existence, indeed, is a standing subversion of the public good in every rational sense. He is not one who serves the common weal; he is simply one who preys upon the commonwealth.

H. L. Mencken

We can guarantee cash benefits as far out and at whatever size you like, but we cannot guarantee their purchasing power.

Alan Greenspan, when asked whether the Federal Reserve can guarantee Social Security payments

In a democracy, the people get the government they deserve.

Alexis de Tocqueville

There are two general means whereby human beings can satisfy their needs and desires. One is by work -- i.e., by applying labor and capital to natural resources for the production of wealth, or to facilitating the exchange of labor-products. This is called the economic means. The other is by robbery -- i.e., the appropriation of the labor-products of others without compensation. This is called the political means.

Albert Jay Nock

We contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.

Winston Churchill

Government is really good at only one thing, and that is to break your leg, then hand you a crutch and say, "Look, if it weren't for the government you wouldn't be able to walk."

Harry Browne

People shouldn't be able to use the courts to turn their own stupidity into an asset.

Bill Schneider

Is it the responsibility of the world at large to protect an industry whose business model is facing a strategic challenge? Or is it up to the entertainment industry to adapt to a new technical reality and a new set of consumers who want to take advantage of it?

Andrew S. Grove, former chairman of Intel's board of directors

I think possibly my biggest pet peeve is when people cite the negative effects of prohibition as a reason to keep drugs illegal.

PaxTech (from slashdot)

Smoking crack is a way for people who couldn't afford college to study the works of Charles Darwin.

P.J. O'Rourke