Bastiat is a wonderful writer. His words cut right to the heart of the subject at hand and do so with clear, direct language. Leonard Read employs the same skills in his writings, and you've assembled a great set of quotes from the two of them, as well as Hayek.
"Supporting government intervention in our lives is an illiberal habit of mind that costs us quite a lot."
This point cannot be overstated. If only we could conjure up the ghosts of the founders and have them give their assessment of society today! We have turned 180 degrees from the idea of government leaving people alone unless they've engaged in force or fraud.
As you say, the road back to freedom lies mainly within. It will not come from shouldering a weapon and looking for bad guys to shoot; that's the road to becoming the bad guy you hate. It will not come from screaming angry words on a street corner or online. It is a quiet understanding, a centeredness.
Bastiat is a wonderful writer. His words cut right to the heart of the subject at hand and do so with clear, direct language. Leonard Read employs the same skills in his writings, and you've assembled a great set of quotes from the two of them, as well as Hayek.
"Supporting government intervention in our lives is an illiberal habit of mind that costs us quite a lot."
This point cannot be overstated. If only we could conjure up the ghosts of the founders and have them give their assessment of society today! We have turned 180 degrees from the idea of government leaving people alone unless they've engaged in force or fraud.
As you say, the road back to freedom lies mainly within. It will not come from shouldering a weapon and looking for bad guys to shoot; that's the road to becoming the bad guy you hate. It will not come from screaming angry words on a street corner or online. It is a quiet understanding, a centeredness.
I have always loved Bastiat. His timeless 1850 essay is a favorite of mine.
I recently realized that it may have been inspired, at least in part, by a biblical verse:
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
(2 Corinthians 4:18)
Thank you for the information on Leonard Read I am just now reading some of his works, they are amazing.
Just came across this from the book Why Not Try Freedom by Leonard Read
BLIND SPOT: That Man Is the Creator
Persons unaware of a Creative Force, an Infinite Principle, Intelligence,
or Consciousness, far over and beyond the human self
are susceptible to a belief in their own omniscience. And, those
who believe in their own omniscience, logically, cannot envision a
perfect society unless it be one in which others are cast in their
fallible images. It is difficult for me to conceive of anything more
responsible for authoritarianism than this type of unawareness.
A related blind spot was discussed in an earlier lecture under
the title, "Historical Approaches to Ideal Government." If a people
do not accept the Creator as Sovereign, as their Supreme
Ruler, as their Source of Rights, they must, perforce, locate sovereignty
in some mortal man or in some man-made institution.
Logically, it has to be one or the other. If they locate sovereignty
in government - a man-made institution - they have created an
authoritarianism they must live with until they revoke it.
It also reminds me of
So give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” – Matthew 22:21
Time to reread Bastiat. Great and insightful piece, as always, Barry!